I had my first scooter lesson last night.  After being John’s sidekick for the past year, I’ve worked up the courage to give it a go. This might not seem like a big deal to some of you, but I’ve never ridden a scooter or motorized vehicle of any kind. I’ve spent the better part of this year getting over my fears when riding with John for several reasons, none of which have to do with his superb driving.

The traffic in Taiwan is ridiculous. I’ve needed this past year to get somewhat used to the insane traffic situation over here. There doesn’t seem to be any written code of conduct. People just drive the way they want to drive. In the past year, we’ve almost been hit on several occasions. We’ve been pulled over. We’ve seen guys talking on cell phones and swerving maniacally through traffic one-handed. We’ve been sandwiched between buses and stranded under the MRT overpasses during typhoon season. We’ve seen people riding scooters with their dogs.  We’ve even watched families of four and five cram onto a 150cc scooter.  It never ceases to amaze me.

Scooter Lessons in Taiwan, originally uploaded by globetrotterI.

Yet, despite the absurdity of it all, having a scooter and being able to get around will make things much easier on both of us. John has been able to take on extra work in remote areas because of the motorcycle, but I’ve stayed within biking distance of my students. Mind you, riding a bike in traffic is just as scary, and I’ve done my fair share of it with the same results as above.

So, it’s time to get a scooter. John’s bike has been in the shop for the past week and the bike shop was kind enough to lend us a scooter to get around. It’s kind of a banged up, dented old thing, so I didn’t mind using it for my first try.

 We headed out at 11pm when the streets were quiet. I learned the basics, such as turning around without falling over.  Actually, I never fell over, but I wobbled a bit and got really good at running with the scooter between my legs. Sometimes I forgot to lift up my feet.  I accelerated when I was supposed to be braking and careened wildly off the road for a quick second or two.  All in all, I think I did pretty well.  Through it all, John instructed,winced and barely raised his voice with me.  I’m quite pleased with him for keeping his cool.  My father didn’t react quite as well when I was learning to drive the car.  I’m sure he’d have a few things to tell John if we were closer to home. 

After a few minutes of driving, John wanted me to drive with him on the back but I got scared when the bike sank down three inches and teetered precariously to the side. John’s legs would have kept us up but I didn’t even think I could keep the thing balanced with him on the back. Some guy stopped to have a good laugh at me stopped in the middle of the street. Then he sat and watched in amusement as I yelled at John to get off the bike.

All in all, it was a successful and somewhat amusing night. After all, I look like I’ve peed myself from fright in this photo. I admit it, I had fun, but it was at night with no one else around. The driver’s seat is a totally different perspective and one that comes mighty fast when you’re the one in charge of it.