The Red Dragon (aka my new car)

Yesterday, my new car finally arrived. This may not seem like a big deal to most - until you move to a new country, discover that you have NO credit history any more - and cannot even buy a cell phone contract, let alone a car.

So actually having a car to call my own - not a hard driven, beat up rental, is very exciting. However, when it arrived, I found out it was the NEW version of the Toyota Prius - the one that has all the long awaited improvements (you know, like more AIRBAGS - of great importance while carting around my most valued people, my kids). For whatever reason, I was expecting a new edition of last years model, since the 2010 is back ordered until at least January at most dealers.

And its red.

Here she is. Isn't she shiny and pretty?

The car is a lot more streamlined from the older versions, so I think it looks more like a hybrid car (or like the prototypes) than the old car did.

I think now other drivers will definitely be able to see me coming, especially around the windy, twisty roads here!

Notice anything different here? (Ok, smart alecks, other than the fact that the steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car?) Did you look?

No place for the ignition key. I don't need one! As long as the remote unit is on my person (in my pocket, in my purse) - the car starts with a push of the button. Even cooler: I can lock and unlock the car just by grabbing onto the door handle in a particular position. How cool is that? (Of course, if it is pouring and we are running, I can use the remote to unlock the doors, too.)

Since there is no driving and holding your cell phone here - at all - I spent some time this morning programming phone numbers into the car with the Bluetooth function: home, school and Pete. (You know, mostly because I don't have too many people to call here, otherwise. Yet.)

Let me tell you, its amazing how quickly your perspective changes. I've been driving a minivan for 5 years, and driving a small car with the kids would seem impractical. Here, Pete's previous rental - a Vauxhaul sedan - seemed akin to driving a massive tank. I couldn't wait to get into my "small" car. Which, really, isn't that small.

Ok, compared to a minivan, it is tiny.

And its red!