The most exciting I did in England was DRIVE!

First of all, they drive on the left hand side of the road. Several people while I was in England tried to tell me that was the right of the road. It may be the correct side to drive in England but in America we actually drive on the "right" side of the road. In my opinion, that is actual and figurative.

It is by driving in England I have accidentally discovered the cure for depression. That's right, if you are depressed, don't know wether or not to get out of bed and face anothe day. You have entertained ideas of doing something terrible to yourself. Don't do that, go to England.

Rent a car and drive. Just one trip from point "A" to point "B" and you will know that you want to live. Not only that you will be glad you are alive. The joy of surviving a dash to the market or a simple visit to a tourist attraction will overwhelm even your darkest gloomiest thoughts. Three passes through a roundabout and your life will be changed forever. Let me be clear, I am not depressed. Am not, was not and shouldn't be depressed. You see I have driven in England and lived to tell about it.

Let me give you some tips about how to drive on the left side of the road.

Rule #1 Do not give an English driver eye contact. Reason: If you give them eye contact that is permission for them to run over you.

Rule #2 Look Right, and Left. These cars are coming from everywhere. The worst part is... they don't honk their horns.

Rule #3 The speeds are round circles, with numbers in them. Those of you who have not traveled overseas probably don't know the speed signs are shaped differently. Not only are they circles but they start off small like 10 or 30 or 40 but then out on the "motorway" you see a black circle with a bar acrossd it. Sorta like the "don't smoke while pumping gas" sign. That black circle with the bar means drive like a bat out of Hades. Better yet, drive like everybody else and I did. I drove comfortable, both feet flat on the floor.

Rule #4. There is not parking spaces on the side of the road and yes that car up ahead is not moving. Casually, you might just swerve over into the oncoming traffic lane to avoid hitting a dead still vehicle. Unfortunatly, you happened to miss the little circle with the 20 in it and you are still driving under impression of the black circle with the bar. It is at this moment, you see the headlights, real close and moving toward you and as you are processing that information the driver of the parked car, opens his door and proceeds to get out.

PERSONAL NOTE: Rental cars in England have good brakes.

PERSONAL NOTE: Next trip to England, pack a box of Depends.

Needless to say that everyone in the car is rejoicing as I pulled into our destination parking lot. Several proceeded to kiss the ground when they lept out of the vehicle as I placed it into park.

Rule #5 Remember where you are, after you fill your gas tank. It is my desire to die in my sleep, like my Grandfather. Not at all like all those other people screaming in his car. I was reminded of that one evening. When my passengers screamed at a decibel level only acheivable by teenage girls and those unprepared individuals meeting their Maker. I had back out onto the highway, after gassing up the rental. I hadn't driven more than a mile or so. When we came to a wide left hand curve and we met all those other drivers coming our way. I managed to get back over to the left hand side of the road without so much as scrapping a bit of paint off the rental. So I feel good about it.

My point is this dear reader. If your depressed, drive in England or for that matter, let me drive you around a bit. You will be so happy to be alive and you should be.