First thing that you need to know if you are planning to life in Iowa is that roads are a myth. A pleasant myth, but a myth the same. Most Iowinians swear that there are roads but for the months I've been here, I haven't seen the slightest sign of them. They have 3 types of things that they call roads. 1st, the gravel 'road.' This is made out of, (any guesses?) gravel. When you drive down the center of it and in small cars, you have a hard time getting any faster that 40 mph even though they say you can go 55. You also can fish tail When you meet someone on the side of the road, you have to go to your side. Meeting someone at the top of a hill can be dangerous and scary. Also, after going after a grater is something you want to avoid. 2nd, highways. They are narrow so if you are pulling something or someone else is, you have to be really careful. You have to also be really careful in regular cars. Last and not least, town roads. They, so far, are ok but I haven't seen them to much because of all the road construction.
The next thing you need know is that the weather is NOT a casual topic. You can be making small talk and accidentally mention the weather. If this happens, you are in for about 5-10 minutes of how it was, when you might get rain, how good the last rain was, etc.
Iowa is very small. Your neighbors are anyone in a 6 mile radius (or so they tell me). One day I would really like to meet 'they,' 'them,' and the like. Everybody knows each other. You mention your last name and they start playing what my dad calls Dutch bingo. "Your mom and dad are blank. Were the the mother and father in law to your cousins aunts grandchild other cousin." "Oh, me and your blank go way back..." "Is blank your mother, cousin, aunt, etc. (fill in necessary)" They also have a grape vine that I unfortunately haven't been able to infiltrate. It's amazing how the word gets around. My grandma will call me about someone I have never heard about. When I was playing softball, I would have people who I've never met before come up to me and say, "So your Becka right? I've heard your a really great pitcher! Call me if you ever need a catcher." It's weird.
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8 comments:
Oh, I forgot the dirt road. Under no condition should you attempt after a rain. You will get stuck. There are 2 types of dirt roads, good and bad. The good are ok to drive if they are not wet. Bad are ones that you should under no condition attempt. They are bummpy and full of ruts.
exellent assesment.
Dirt roads. I have attempted to take one twice after it rained (well, once during and once after). It wasn't fun. I almost got stuck both times. It's hard turning around in the middle of a narrow road with ditches close on either side ready to claim their next victim.
Haha, that is funny. I liked your description of Iowa. Sounds really different from here. We miss you! But hopefully we can see you soon!
Elisabeth
that is really funny. i don't think i would ever be able to live in iowa, i will definately come and visit you though!!
paula
It's not as bad as I make it seem. There are hardly any cops and it's not speeding if you go 60-65mph in a 55 mph zone.
since no one else will, i guess i have to be the one to stand up for iowa.
i must agree with you on what you said about the gravel 'roads'.
the main reason sioux center's highway is narrow is because we're doing construction work. you just wait, they (meaning the construction workers) say it will be much better when they're finished.
dirt roads. my advice, just avoid at all costs no matter the lengths to go around it ESPECIALLY in the winter. me and dad have pulled so many cars out of there. we're thinking of putting up a sign in mexican saying that the road is closed.
you guys just wait. you haven't been through an iowinian winter! then you'll have something to complain about.
i know what you mean about the rain. i get sick of it too. i mean, what's the point of talking about how the rain was if you've already been through it.
the neighbor thing is only true in the country.
i definatley know what you're talking about with the dutch lingo. when i moved here, and my teachers asked my name, they seemed to know everything about everyone in my family.
by the way, you can trust me that it does get better and you do get somewhat used to it. remember, i've had to move here to. after the 1st year, it wasn't to bad.
ah, small town life, plain, simple and sometimes down right scary (hence people knowing who you are and the roads...so im told)
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