Where are the highways? How has one of the first states in the Union managed to get so far advanced with all these damn stop signs and traffic lights? So this is about how my first conversations with locals have gone:
Me: "Where is the closest Target?"
Them: "Go to County Line, turn left, turn right on blah blah blah. It's about 10 to 15 minutes."
Me: "Where is Trader Joes?"
Them: "Blah blah blah. It's about 10 to 15 minutes."
Me: "Where is the mall?"
Them: "Blah blah blah. It's about 10 to 15 minutes."
Are you noticing a trend here? Everything is 10 to 15 minutes. At this rate, Maryland, Jersey, Delaware and New York are probably 10 to 15 minutes. And seriously? As the crow flies, these places are all about 2 miles away and ought to take no more than 5 minutes in Normal-land. I keep thinking to myself, "All right, as soon as I get through these few stop signs I'll be able to open right up onto the interstate and I'm there in 5 minutes." No dice. Light, after light, after light, after ... you get the picture. On the bright side, I figure if I can drive with all the crazy Italians learning to drive here ought to be a piece of cake, right? Only thing here is ... my Explorer is NOT the biggest vehicle on the road. Eek.
In all honesty though, I am really looking forward to our time here. We recently met some really fantastic neighbors who all have kids the same age. We're on a court so no traffic. Yet. This 3 years will be a good time for our family. The schools are some of the best, I am told, in north suburban Philly. The Baumhover's are looking forward to laying down some roots here, albeit temporary ones.
Oh, and don't even think I'm not going to make weekly trips to Jersey to facilitate my wine purchases. Who's coming with me?
Cheers.
