Carless

We have been without a car ever since we got here, which is 2 months and 9 days today. Among the reasons why we have no car just yet are first of all my lover has no RP. RP for an expatriate is almost equivalent to life. So we can't buy a car. But that is another story, we do not possess a Q@tari driving license. This is must for you to drive here. If you come from the States and probably from UK and Europe, your driving license can be converted immediately. Even if you come from Sing@pore, the country where not many people can drive cars, your license can be immediately converted to a Q@tari license. Unfortunately being the head of OIC and good relations with the Middle East countries do not give Malaysians the privilege to just convert our licenses. (I will blog about driving tests and licenses later.)

What make me feel like banging my head on the wall is we forgot to make an International Driving License before we came here. Bangs head on wall. Bangs head on wall. International driving license can be used for up to six months here. If we have it we could at least rent a car. But fate has it, we didn't bring it over. However we did send our licenses back to my father in law, for him to make the licenses on behalf of us.

We were luck though. The first few weeks we were here, we had Mr. Drive Fast and his wife Ms. Fashion Designer, who drove us around. They helped us buy our basic stuff, pots and pans, dining sets, basic groceries, basic electrical items and all that. They were also the ones who took us to the Embassy and people's open houses. We were ever grateful for their thoughtful help.

Later we took the taxi mostly. Taxis are not very efficient here. We only go to a major shopping complex because it will be easier for us to go back home, since there would be many taxis. Once we had to go to a place out of the shopping complex way to buy Haziq's school uniform. We waited for a taxi to go back home for hours. In the cold, dusty wind with three little children, it is such a drag. I probably wouldn't' mind as much if I were alone or just the two of us. Then came an illegal taxi which my lover didn't want to get in. The second one came, my lover still refused. When the third one came, I said I don't care anymore!

Just last week, we called the taxi to go out. For two days in a row, no taxi came at all. We waited for two hours!

There is also the bus service, which I have not tried. I am eager to try that one. Perhaps this weekend.

But then, read this people.

Yesterday we got our International Driving License. Yippeeee!

We are now proud renter of a Honda Civic.

But that's not all.

My lover also has got his RP!

YEEEE HAAAAARRRRR