Upside-Down and Backwards

Suddenly, I find my life is upside-down and backwards. It’s strange when you think about it, I am living at the bottom of the world. The wanders of gravity! It’s confusing enough experiencing an endless summer, not to mention a constant allergy season. Now I have to get used to doing everything completely opposite. For example, I was walking through the CBD (Central Business District) this week and noticed that all the stores have already started setting up their windows for Christmas. First of all, I cannot believe Christmas is approaching (time flies) and second, it’s summer here! The Christmas season and summer seem like an oxymoron to me. Does Santa change into summer wear? What makes it even more amusing is that the window decorations are all winter-themed with snowflakes and sweaters (or jumpers as it’s referred to here). Like I said, upside-down and backwards…

A lot of the things I am used to are literally the other way around, the opposite. From the direction the sun travels (north) to the minor things, like the direction of a revolving door (clockwise), or the turning of a key, all have an impact. I find myself having to mentally focus on everyday situations more than usual. Just like driving on the opposite side of the road, when walking down the street or standing on the elevator you stay to the left. You flip a light switch down to turn it on.  I guess I am conditioned to react in the reverse. I find myself suddenly very confused and clumsy. I obstruct people on the street (I can hear them humph), I don’t know when to cross a street, and I offend taxi cab drivers by not sitting in the front seat. That’s right; it is customary here to sit in the front of the taxi when alone (makes for a good conversation).

The one thing that I have yet to experience but am constantly asked about is the “myth” of the toilet flush (more on some interesting toilet facts in a later post). From what I have experienced thus far rather than the water rotating it actually is sucked straight down (or is that up?). 

There you go...