Driving on the "right" side of the road

When we started planning this trip it was decided to include driving. Public transport in Europe is fantastic and in Switzerland runs like clock work, but driving a car around a place makes you feel a little more like a local, than just another tourist. It also allows us to see more of the places away from the main tourist routes. When we landed in Zurich yesterday, we

collected our hire car and headed to our first destination, Appenzell. I was pleased Shannon volunteered to drive the first leg, because to be honest, I was feeling quite anxious about the whole driving on the right side of the road thing.

There was no avoiding it. There had previously been a deal made that we would share the driving in Switzerland and Italy. This morning before we left for Santis (highest mountain on this side of Switzerland) Shannon sent me out for a little practice. 

Driving a car is something that I just take for granted. Because it is done daily, you just go through the motions. However, when you sit on the left instead of the right side of the car, change gears with the gear stick from the right instead of the left and drive on the right side of the road instead of the left....you need to be quite alert! 

Driving up and down the street of our apartment was relatively easy because there was no traffic, however every muscle was tense, my heart was in my throat because I was so nervous and I kept forgetting to breathe. 

Other challenges then faced including remembering to stay in the right lane after during left hand turn, going around the round about to the right not the left and being able to judge the distance from the right side of the car and the gutter. Oh, and to make it more challenging we got caught in some heavy rain at one point. So Shannon helped operate the windscreen wipers while I focused on the windy road, car in front and remaining calm(ish). Currently we are only driving about 20 minutes at a time as the attractions are close and we take it in turns. On my second drive I started to feel more comfortable and confident. 

We will return this car on Wednesday when we head to Zurich and then pick up another car after our stay in Milan.