STOP Hummer time.

If you spoke with Nat during our last 3 months in Australia, you would know that she was determined to own a Hummer whilst in Houston.  And she did...  


For 48 hours. 


On the recommendation of Vince's work colleagues we visited Carmax, a large chain of second hand car dealerships that, whilst slightly more expensive than elsewhere, claim to be a safer avenue for second hand car purchase due to their 125 point inspection, free vehicle history reports, no haggle prices, limited 30 day warranties and 5 day money back guarantee etc etc.  The only downside to the whole process was whilst we were sitting expectantly in the car, Nat in the drivers seat ready for a test drive, the salesperson was inside being informed by his manager that we weren't allowed to test drive their vehicles on foreign licenses.  What the hell, we bought the car anyway. 


And here it is...

BiTcHeZ hAtE mE n RaTe mE..SiMpLy CuZ tHeY aIn'T mE

Joking.  That was an H2 being assessed for trade in.  As if the two tone paint, wagon wheels and silver bling isn't gangster enough, it had custom made purple alligator leather seats!  


This is the H3 we bought... 

And here's what we swapped it for 48 hours later...

Yes, the handsome fellow with shopping bags came free with the car ;)

So from one extreme to another.  I think the only thing smaller on sale here is the Smart Car.  Yes, people do drive those in Texas where some of the other vehicles on the road are six or seven time their size.  Madness.  We were leaving the Toyota Centre the other night after Cirque Du Soleil when a Ford 350 pulled up next to us.  It's bonnet stands higher than our roof!


We test drove the Mini Cooper a few times in Australia, almost buying one instead of the Alfa (no regrets!), so felt fairly confident buying this one without test driving.  More so than the Hummer anyway.  And guess what?  We love it!  It's a six speed manual with super charger and best of all it has racing stripes!  Funny thing... one of the reasons we gave up the Hummer (apart from its complete impracticality as a "run around" car for Nat) was that the rear vision out of the thing is TERRIBLE and made reversing a nightmare, however the rear vision from the Mini is incredible AND it comes with rear parking sensors.  Go figure. 


Now whilst we're on the topic of all things vehicular, let me share with you a few activities you can do from within your car here that you can't back home.  


Welcome to Nat's drive thru series... 


First up, drive thru banks.  Not just ATM withdrawals, most will have one window with full teller service.

Drive thru dry cleaning.

Drive thru pharmacy.

Now just remember you mustn't operate heavy machinery whilst on this medicine..

And... drive thru prayer.  Now there's not excuse not to get a bit of God in your day!

Love love LOVE the look on this poor guy's face!

Taking on your mobile phones whilst driving is perfectly legal here, except in a school zone.  I tried answering my phone whilst driving yesterday and ended the call rather quickly.  My brain is still confused enough by driving on the right and changing gears with my right hand, that the juggling act required to use the phone was too much.  Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's safe.  


So on that rather pious note, I bid you farewell until the next post...