Two things

I called my great-Aunt two days ago to thank her for her graduation gift. She is 83 years old, but still aware of what is going on around her. After she finally figured out who I was, the following conversation took place.

Her: What are you going to do now?
Me: Well, I am going to medical school next year.
Her: Medical school? For what?

At this point, I'm pretty sure the expression on my face was quite funny.

Me: Uhm, to be a doctor?
Her: A doctor?
Me: yeah, a medical doctor?
Her: For what?
Me: Uhm, pediatrics?
Her: Oh. I guess your Mom had a lot of influence, eh?
Me: Uhm. yes?

It was a bit of a strange conversation, but we are talking about the woman who almost fell off the stage at my sister's bat-mitzvah. The family has no shortage of stories about this woman and her sister, who is infamous for being late to her own funeral.

Then, yesterday I set off to see the house in Mayanuck. My landlord-to-be gave me directions, which I cross-referenced with Google Maps, my father and a paper map of Philadelphia. While I've traveled into Philadelphia a lot, my great-Aunts actually used to live there and we would drive in fairly frequently, I've never driven in solo. But, after checking four different sources, I thought I'd be okay. Silly me.

My plan had been to take 202N to I-76 E and exit at Belmont. It seemed fairly simple. The alternative route was to take the Blue Route in, but I felt more familar with I-76 E. So, I get on I-76 E without a problem and settle down in for a twenty minute drive. Then I notice the exit numbers and names do not match my directions. Uh-oh. So, I pull over, call my father and consult the map. Of course, my father is on the road and his advice is to exit and 'consult the toll-person.' Well, it turns out that somehow, I got onto I-276 E. I have no idea how it happened - I sort of suspect I was supposed to exit at Valley Forge, but at the time, my father had suggested that as a potential way to get onto I-76 E, so I didn't seriously consider exiting at it - or pay any attention to it.

The first toll-person told me to make a u-turn, get back on I-276, exit at the first exit and consult the next toll-person. Lacking a better idea, I went ahead and did this. The next toll-person told me to follow the signs to I-76 E and get off at Exit 16, the Belmont exit. This matched my original plan, so I cheerfully set out to do this. Unfortunately, you have to be in the proper lane fairly quickly and my plan of staying in the middle lane immediately failed. As I flew past the I-76 E exit, I was faced with an immediate choice of staying on I-76 W or going to Conshohocken. I choose Conshohocken and found myself on route 23, with no clear way of getting back to I-76 E. Just take right turns, my father said. Well, that's a nice plan - if there are right turns to take! So, I just started making turns and got to see parts of Conshohocken. Eventually, I found a guy, asked directions and managed to get back on I-76 E. Of course, there was a ton of traffic, but I saw signs for the Belmont exit.

After I got off the Belmont exit, I only got lost two more times. I finally managed to find the proper street and then my landlord-to-be came outside and directed me towards the correct house. The house itself is great. New appliences, porch, yard, basement, nice big bedrooms. I am very excited.

Getting home wasn't as bad. I found I-76 E without much of a problem, then just exited when I saw a slightly familiar road sign. I ended up near Lima, but I knew my way home from there (Rt 1 all the way).

Then my Mom laughed at me, but that's okay. It was mostly frustrating, rather than scary. And now I have a decent story to tell. Everyone wins!