I´ve had my driving license for 15
years but I haven´t done much driving in the city. I´m a country girl and I´m
very comfortable driving during most road conditions on the countryside. I have
lived in big cities from time to time but only used public transportations in
the city.
Driving in a lot of traffic used
to make me a little bit uncomfortable. Especially if there´s a zillion
different lanes. I was in a bad accident five years ago, an 18 wheeler didn´t
see me and changed lane right into me. There wasn´t anything left of my little
car, literally.
Lately I decided to do something
about my city driving. I´ve had been practicing driving in different cities
with different kinds of cars. My goal was to feel confident about city driving.
I recently discovered a big help! Siri! That little voice inside your IPhone
that gives directions on when to change lanes and where to turn. I have no idea why I haven´t used her before;
it really helps me to relax and feel more comfortable driving in the city.
Nowadays I can focus on the traffic and the road without thinking about where
I´m driving…at least not all the time. It´s like a new kind of freedom!
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| Alston Park, Napa |
Today we had the first sunny day
in a week. It was windy but we really wanted to enjoy the outdoors. We decided
to go to Alston Park outside Napa http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/alstonpark.html.
It´s a very beautiful park with green hills and vineyards. I really wanted to
take Joel and my Swedish friend there. We had a great day and they really
enjoyed the beautiful views of the mountains surrounding Napa.
It´s been a real adventure getting
my son here. We had some trouble getting his passport on time. We got it the
night before he left Sweden!
During his journey the airport
lost his luggage and my friend’s bags (who traveled with him.) We spent yesterday
trying to find their bags that were supposed to be at San Francisco International
airport (a huge airport). First we called all the different numbers they gave
us, tried to track their luggage on internet and then we drove over there to
actually speak face to face to a person. We spent half the day at the airport.
Waiting in line on different places, speaking to a dozen people. Finally we got
to talk to a manager that promised to look for our bags. She said that it was
possible that it would take her 2-3 hours to find them and asked for our cellphone
number so that she could call us as soon as she either found them or determined
that they were lost.
We killed some time in a nearby
shopping mall. In the evening we still haven´t heard anything. No one answered
the phone numbers they gave us. We drove back to the airport and found out that
everyone working for Swiss Air (the ones who lost the bags) quit for the day.
Without calling back or answering any calls. We drove back home and on the way
we bought some new clothes for Joel and my friend.
I hope they´ll find their bags!
Today is a very happy day for me!
I´m going to the airport to pick up my son later. He´s been spending time with
his dad in Sweden. He´s been there waaaay too long. I can´t wait to hold him in
my arms again.
His traveling with one of my
friends and I´m really looking forward to see her too J Let the Holiday Season begin!
Being with my family is absolutely
the most important thing that I want for Christmas.
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| Joel |
