While babies are pretty much the same the world over–small, sweet, fascinating and oh-so-dear–being “Gramma” on the other side of the world has its challenges. Mostly I’m up for the challenges, enjoying all that is new and different, but sometimes my brain and mood just shut down for a bit. Snuggling with baby Charlotte is the perfect antidote. And sometimes, a good night of sleep.

I thought I’d write a few posts about what it is like to be an American Gramma in New Zealand. My categories are Driving & Directions, Language & Vocabulary,  Welcome & Isolation, and Customs & Culture.

After almost a month, I finally feel like I’m beginning to understand the lay of the land. I spent the first 10 days driving around with Anne. Even if I was at the wheel, she was there to guide me and remind me of the finer points of driving in New Zealand. Once she went into labor, I was on my own, negotiating the roads between their home in the country and the hospital and/or birthing center in Hamilton.

Since they arrived home, I’ve been staying with friends in Leamington, several blocks from the church and about a mile or so from the town centre (of Cambridge.) I’ve driven the 22 km back and forth most days (and many dark nights) and taken two beach trips by myself when they needed a day “off.” A couple nights ago, I came upon a road block and had to detour many miles on a curvy country road before finding my way “home.” Google GPS is a godsend. I’m also learning my way around town and have even managed to find a few places in Hamilton.

My main route is a two-lane highway with a speed limit of 100 kph. Somehow that number, “100” is a challenge to me. Besides being a speed limit, it is also an indication of how fast the other drivers want you to be traveling and 100 seems too fast for these curvy country roads. (In reality, it is only 62.5 mph, but 100 sounds faster!) My favorite moment in driving is when the road widens for a bit and the drivers behind me can safely pass. Sometimes, I pull off to the side of the road to let them pass but mostly I push myself to a reasonable 90 kph.

It is also visually discombobulating to make right turns. No matter how clear the road is of on-coming traffic, when I actually make my move I’m always expecting a car (or truck) to come whizzing up on my right and crash into me. I’ve learned to look left, look right, and then then look left again before proceeding, but my instincts still tell me it’s not really safe.

Even finding my place in the lane has had its challenges. I’ve done well this trip, but it is still a perceptual challenge. Every few days I cross the High Bridge to Cambridge with lanes that are about three-and-a-half feet wider than the sides of my car, with metal barriers on the outside and orange plastic markers on the left. Annie says that it is designed so that your wheels will contact the edge before the body of the car–and that hasn’t happened–but I still take a deep breath before I proceed and go slowly.

It’s even worse when you are the passenger! If James or Anne are driving, I feel pretty safe, but driving with another American is terrifying! On my last trip, I realized that both Marilyn and I felt that way in the passenger seat, so I avoided really curvy roads and tight bridges whenever I could. I’m worried about having to share the driving with John. (But now I get that it isn’t him so much as any driver used to driving on the right.) Still, my favorite seat is behind the driver on the right if I’m not actually behind the wheel. Knitting. I try not to miss the fantastic scenery, but sometimes it’s better if I keep my focus on the inside of the car.

On this, my fourth trip to New Zealand, I finally have a map in my mind that corresponds with the real map. I’d always pictured the North Island like the drawing on the left, with Cambridge and Matamata situated pretty much smack dab in the middle, east of Auckland. In reality it looks more like the drawing on the right, with Hamilton and Cambridge straight south of Auckland.

On a lighter note, I love the traffic signs here in New Zealand. Among my favorites are Hey Mate. Indicate!!” and “Merge Like a Zip.” There are few traffic lights and even fewer stop signs. There are a lot of intersections (and roundabouts) where the only instruction is to “Give Way.”

 

 

 

 

 

And then, there are these: