Different

When I spent a semester in England, my friend I was living with told me that she'd like to just get rid of her car. England is a completely different and wonderful culture. Their refrigerators aren't half the size of ours, and they don't eat "leftover's" all the time like we do. They walk to "the shop" and get groceries for one meal, rather than one week (and Costco?...what's that??). They have street markets with fresh produce (it won't last more than a couple days), They have a lot less room for vehicles and much better public transportation than we have. Besides, their fuel is much more expensive. Wow, I got on great there! I walked everywhere and was encouraged to use the Bus system and the Underground.
My friend explained to me that with her kids grown and out of the house (and the fact that she really doesn't drive so much anymore), she didn't have much desire to hang onto her car and keep paying for the gas. I was intrigued by this. Where I live...you are very strange if you do not have a vehicle!

No Wheels

When I was in high school, I took Driver's Ed like most students. Driver's training wasn't offered, of course, and I didn't have money to pay for it. I got my pink slip like everyone else...but secretly, wasn't thrilled with the idea of driving. How do you say that? I mean, EVERYBODY wants to drive in high school, right?...it's like the gateway to independence, right?

But secretly, I didn't... I was scared. What if I hit somebody? What if they hit me? What if I injure or kill them? What if someone else injures or kills me? None of my FRIENDS were worried about these things, and if they were...I didn't know about it. Long tory short...I'm in my thirties now, and still don't drive. My family always said (as long as I can remember)that cars were too much trouble. My dad told me that as soon as I got a car... all I would do is pour money into it. I think he was right. Ever since I got that pink slip at fifteen...I've needed money I didn't have... driver's training, insurance payments, car payments, repairs and gas, smog checks, tags...

Oh, wait a minute...I don't drive...that's right! So, none of the above applies to me. I've always been bothered by this...I guess it's because gaining that "independence" of having a car wasn't just a "normal" part of my life like all my friends. But not everybody drives, and in some places, it's actually encouraged that people don't have cars. Hmmmm-- maybe there's more freedom to NOT driving than I realize. I thought I'd look into it a little and put some of my thoughts down... but if you don't drive, I'd like to know your thoughts. If you ENJOY not having a car... I'd love to hear about it. Let me know... what do you think?