We finally have our car! We got it on Tuesday but we've been running a lot of errands so I haven't had time to come and talk a little bit about the process. When you buy a car out here, you have to wait a few days for the dealership to take care of the details for you. At the dealership they set up your JCI (Japanese compulsory insurance), your license plates, and your other myriad of paperwork. Just like in the states, you make payments on your car but rolled into your payments is also your insurance.
There are different types of license plates in Japan. So far I've yet to really figure them out other than the yellow license plates take a while to get going. I'm also pleased to mention that our car is not one of those. It's a speedy little thing and came with sports racks. Yes. For the most sporty people ever. Now we can load up all our surf boards, ski equipment, and hockey sticks!!
Affectionately dubbed, Risa, our new car is very easy to drive. Well.. It would be easy to drive if it weren't for the fact that we now have to drive on the left side of the road from the Western passenger side. It also doesn't help that the turn signal is now on the right side of the steering wheel.
I've now driven twice and only on base out of paranoia that I will crash it into anything and everything. I'm also very concerned that my stubborn brain will cause me to turn onto the wrong side of the road. So far it hasn't happened. What has happened is me turning on the windshield wipers every time I need to turn. I also can't figure out what the speed limit is anywhere because the speed limit signs are few and far between. Most of the time I just go with traffic till I see a sign.
Look familiar?
Luckily, they sell the Echo out here on Okinawa. It's the four door version of my old car and every bit as familiar with the exception of the steering wheel on the other side of the car. It was nice seeing one on the lot. I got in and sat inside for a bit and felt right at home. Unfortunately it's often rainy and windy here and the Echo didn't do so hot in the rain and wind so we went with a car that would be safer in a storm. That doesn't mean that every time we pass a dealership I don't look out the window longingly at my old friend...
Some important news:
After today, I will be without internet for quite some time. We're moving into our apartment tomorrow and as excited as I am going to be, I am also going to be so very bored! Sims 2 is going to get a ton of use and so is the PspGO. Luckily we also live walking distance from shops and the beach is pretty much right outside our back door. Hopefully it's all enough to keep me from going crazy until I can share pictures and stories.
Until then, please feel free to send me emails and post on my facebook. I'll have something to look forward to when I get back online. :)
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