I'm in Japan: Akita

20 June 2011 - I woke up at 6:15am this morning despite not having to go to work today. Was planning to get up at 6:45am but my nerves were all jittery and I was way too nervous to sleep in or to laze in bed. Why? Today's the day I'm attempting to get my Japanese license and I'm freaked out. I hate driving tests. In fact, I hate driving too. When I first got informed that I needed to drive in Omagari, I was asking if I could get around using a bike or public transport instead. When I was told firmly that I would HAVE TO drive due to the infrequency of the public transport, the huge amounts of snow we get in winter and ba ba ba... , I was miserable. I even considered if I should just not go to Japan.

Anyways, I'm getting distracted. So, I got up early and left my place at 7:20am so as to reach the driving centre (located in Akita City) before 9:00am. Got a little lost along the way but thankfully, the ever-reliable and knowledgeable Bec was there to help. Reached the centre just in time to register for my written test and spent much of my morning just hanging around the centre waiting. Got to wait 30mins before I could take the test and after that waited another hour before I could get my results. Waited 20mins before I could take my eye test and another 50mins before I could walk the driving course.

The only driving test centre in the prefecture

A shot of the driving course from the 3rd floor

To convert my license, I had to take a driving test within the driving course. While I was thankful that there was no on-the-road test, I was still freaked out especially when I was told that I would have to memorise the route. WHY?? Isn't it bad enough that I have to deal with the butterflies in my stomach? Now, I got to remember the route, as well as, the "tips" to securing a license. Ahhhhhh...

So, I spent 40 mins (from 12:00pm - 12:40pm) walking around the driving course to familiarise myself with the route. It was really hot and uncomfortable but it did make me feel better about the test. I still failed though T.T. I was so nervous that I failed the test within the first 10 seconds. HOW?? I somehow forgot that it was a single lane road and I drove into the lane with the oncoming traffic in my attempt to make a right turn. Yup. I know it sounds ridiculous but it's true. Ahhhhhhh....

My driving route for the day

Check out the rest of the driving routes

The guy in white is walking the course too.

All the obstacle courses are surrounded by these intimidating looking poles

I managed to continue on with the test and it was good because after the test, the instructor pointed out all the mistakes that I have made. This was really useful because there were stuff I did which I thought was fine but apparently not. So... I'm going to have to attempt the driving test again and hopefully I'll miss on my next try. Wish me luck!

<Kit Kat corner>

I managed to find Cheese Kit Kat at the snacks vending machine in the driving centre :) Can't wait to try these. Don't they look interesting?