Opposite living.

When i first arrived in America, i nonchalantly got on the escalator to go and pick up my bags on the second floor of the New York airport.

I politely stood to the side. The stationary side of the escalator to let the people who were in a hurry pass me by.

After numorous dirty looks and obsceneties had been thrown my way, i wondered what it was about these people that made them so rude..

After a few minutes of enduring the rudeness that spewed out of almost every person that passed me by, a little old lady tapped me on my shoulder and said,

"Excuse me dear but if your not going to move up the escalator, you need to stand on the side that is for stationary people."

That is when i realised i was on the wrong side, the side you would stand on if you were in Australia.

"I've definately arrived in America," I thought to myself.

You would think that after all these years, i would have gotten used to the fact that everything is on the opposite sides. Sure the road i am used to, as without being used to such a thing i'm sure i would either be in hospital or in jail, one of the two.

People make jokes about an old simpsons episode in which Bart calls to the "Great down under" and asks if their water goes down the drain the opposite way.

I'll tell you that this is true.

The water swirls down the drain in an opposite cycle as to what it did in Australia, the door you once knew that needed to be pushed as you entered a building, now will only gain you entry if you pull it.

The entry way into a store is that of the opposite side in Australia. You would think i had a few problems when i first arrived here in America, a few would be understated, i would call it many.

I constantly bumped into people who were leaving a store as i was entering. I walked casually up to a door to push and gain entrance to almost be thrown back by its not opening.

I drove down wrong way lanes, and had to carefully avoid oncoming traffic. I would use my indicators and it would result in my windshield wipers coming on.

I even would attempt at washing my hands with cold tap water only for it to come out blazing hot.

The little things that you wouldn't think would ultimately change your life if they were to change, actually have a drastic impact.

Ok, so i've gotten over the initial changes and to go back to the way it was before would probably screw me over entirely.

But every nown and again i find myself walking past a light switch and flicking it down to give me light, its then i realise that i have to flick it up to turn it on and down to turn it off.

Ahh the habits one must break.