This is what I knew it to be all my life. And then I landed here where 'right' is actually right! And this literally turned my world 'left-side right'. Well, yes, I am talking about the traffic. My roads turned around as I came here to right-handed traffic in Slovenia from left-handed one in India. "First look at right, then left, and then right again, and only then cross the road". This was the rule for me. And I had to change it completely!! Good that there are more traffic lights to help cross road..
Before coming to Slovenia, I really did not think about it. I had too many other worries and any thoughts regarding traffic was nonexistent in my mind. And after reaching here, it took my mind some time to notice and feel the difference..
Initially it was the impact of being in a new country. New places, buildings, names, language, people, work and so on.. I had too much to occupy my mind. I did notice the driver's seat to be in the 'wrong' side, but was still to realize the effect. Initially, it was nothing more than one of the many differences that I noticed. Not really knowing my way then, I was not yet going around alone; and thus was oblivious of the turned directions.
And then one day, waiting at a traffic light, the reality dawned on me. By then I had familiarized myself well enough to know that we were waiting to turn left. First I found it very strange waiting for the traffic to turn green for making a left turn. However, my mind could still provide a reason. In most big or busy crossings one actually has to wait at traffic even for a left turn. The light turned green. As I noticed the car making the left turn, well something was not exactly right.. Actually it was all very strange!! We turned such to drive on the right side of the road!! In that moment, for the first time I realized that the directions of my roads have changed. And it was a big change indeed. Specially for one like me who is always lost with directions..
I was returning home from work. Reaching the main road I stood lost. On which side of the road should I wait for the bus?? Step one, on which direction is home? Step two, on which side of the road is the traffic moving to the desired direction? Confirmation step, on which side did I get down in the morning? And there, you know on which side you should wait for the bus. Hm, well, that was easy! For the next few days and if I was availing some new bus stop, I had to repeat this process in my mind to know my direction!
And I still have to do that if I go somewhere I never went before! Or simply when I am unmindful..
Last week, I was walking to the city center from work. The wish was to simply walk around and maybe visit some bookstores. Spending a pleasant time in the bookstore, I decided to head towards home. Still absorbed in thoughts of books, I was standing at the bus stop waiting for my bus. A No. 6 arrived. I was almost about to board it when I realized it would be taking me away from home instead. Lost in my thoughts, I was standing and waiting on the wrong side!
Funny situations happen when I walk on the road. I meet someone face-to-face. The other person moves to his right to make way for me. And I move to my 'right'. Almost coming to the verge of a collision. A confused and startled moment follows when we both stop; and then continue on our way. Even though I am telling in my mind "right right right right right", I always land up on the other 'right'!
Last January when I went to India after more than a year, I was afraid about the roads. I thought I would be completely confused with sides and not know where I should wait for the bus. Specially if I would go to somewhere not usual! Fortunately, my fear was unfounded. Kolkata is home after all, and one cannot forget the city where one grows up. I landed there and it felt home. I knew my rule well. And anyway it is not anymore a rule, but had turned into a habit years ago.
But.
Now here in Slovenia, it is still a rule that is still 'strange'.
And the rule is "Right is right and left is wrong"!!
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