Driving in Cyprus is an experience. Once you’ve done it you will never forget it. Not only do the majority of drivers not bother to indicate they also do it at high speed. Many even have slalom skills, weaving between vehicles on the two-lane highway just like an Olympic skier on the slalom run.

Driving skills are not required as all Cypriots have ESP and can see round bends and what’s beyond the brow of the hill, so overtaking is fine in these circumstances. But hey, I’m still learning. What I have failed to get to grips with is the style of the one or no handed Leaning Drivers. Only evident in hot weather on older cars without AC, this form of driving is unique in my experience and I’ve driven in Europe, the UK, Los Angeles and two Caribbean islands. In all those places I have never experienced the leaning driver.

The Rules of the leaning driver’s of Cyprus

Here in Cyprus we drive on the left so I’m explaining this from someone sitting in the right-hand driving seat.

1. Sit in the driving seat.
2. Open your window.
3. Call your lawyer to tell him you are taking a drive down the road.
4. Slide down the seat so that you can rest your head on the door area exposed by the open window.
5. Turn on the engine.
6. Hang your right arm fully out the window, so that your arm is perpendicular to the car door. Lean to the right as far as possible to give your arm a good chance at any passing breezes.
7. Drive off.
8. Drive where you like, the highway’s a good choice on a hot day as your arm will stay cool.
9. If your mobile phone rings, answer it with your free hand, not forgetting to stuff the phone next to your ear and use your shoulder to keep it in place… self-driving cars are not available in Cyprus yet!
10. Don’t forget to smoke, too.
11. Now you are set for a nice drive down the highway without a care in the world.
12. When you wake up in Accident & Emergency, it’s best to plead insanity and ask them to call your lawyer.

Tom Kane (c) 2016

A Pat on his Back tells the story of our move from England to Cyprus.

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Andys Scribbles on WordPress: “…believe me everyone thought I was insane when I spat out my newly-bought smoothie onto the guy sitting near me in the bus because I was laughing so hard…”

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By Sylvia on 20 April 2016
“I enjoyed reading the book as I also have a house in Cyprus and have come across some of the same problems as Tom and his wife. Most of what he says I can relate to quite well. He has an entertaining way of describing life in Cyprus for a non Cypriot.”

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