Today was the day! Today was the day that I drove a motorbike here. I have rode on the back of friends' bikes but I haven't attempted to drive myself. But today that changed!
Driving our motorbike!!! Super exciting!
My roommate and I decided to rent a motorbike for 2 months to get used to it and decide if we each want our own bike. it's pretty cheap to rent a motorbike here and we split it so it's even cheaper. This whole week I have been excited and nervous about attempting to drive here. I mean the traffic is crazy! That alone could deter anyone from driving. However, there is a piece of me that is excited about learning and driving here.
Having a motorbike is really the best mode of transportation here. There are many taxis that seem cheap at the beginning but when you are paying 100,000 to go to a friends house that is only 7km and you find out that gas is 50,000 a tank you realize you are paying a lot of money in taxis. Also there are some streets that do not allow taxis or any cars. So motorbike is really the only way to truly get around. It's also very freeing. I now have the opportunity to go wherever I want, when I want. There is no having to find a cab and telling them where you want to go. I am so excited for the freedom this motorbike brings.
At 4 o'clock our bike was delivered to our apartment from the rental place and our team leader met us to teach us some of the basics. Our security guard even came out to help. I think since we are the only foreign girls living in our apartment building they know who we are and we are always nice to them so they are nice to us. Awesome how that works :). While our team leader was taking one person out to drive around and tell them about how the traffic works the other stayed and drove on the sidewalk in front of the building. I practiced making turns so I did a lot of figure eights. Also I tried to practice using the horn because unlike in the States, the horn is just used as a signal to let others know you are there or you are about to make a turn. It is rarely used to express anger or annoyance.
Say what? Xe máy! The view I have driving the motorbike.
Some other things I learned about the traffic...
1. You are responsible for in front of you. You don't really worry about what's going on behind you.
2. It's best to drive on the white dotted line. You're not too close to the edge or too close to the middle.
3. Pay attention to what's going on in front of you. Watch for other cars/bikes and anticipate their move.
4. Don't talk on your phone while driving :)
After learning these tips and practicing in front of the apartment we took to the open (and crowded) road. We didn't go far but we practiced making right turns and left turns. I practiced turning left at a stoplight and making my way into a roundabout. I made it back alive which is what counts.
All-in-all today was great! God kept us safe on motorbikes and in traffic. I had so much fun. I can't wait to drive around the city :).
**update** Saturday I drove my roommate and I to school and to the post office. It was a successful outing. School is only 1km away from our apartment and the post office is 2km away. But you have to start somewhere!
The world has opened up so much with the freedom to travel whenever I want!