Since moving to Düsseldorf, expat partner Ayah Alhusseni has been adapting not just to a new culture but also a new way of driving, and taking care of kids.
Onto the Autobahn
“I’m originally from Jordan and my husband is Egyptian. I’ve lived in Kuwait, Cairo and Dubai and, ever since 2009 I have driven a car. But you always have to adjust when you start to drive around a new country,” says Ayah, a mother of two boys (aged 6 and 3). “In particular, I was nervous about going on the Autobahn for the first time, knowing that there was no speed limit. But once you see that the other drivers comply with the traffic laws, and everyone uses their signals, you see that it runs very smoothly.”
Beep-beep yeah!
“In other countries where I have lived, you have to get used to people not complying with the traffic laws! Cairo has the most chaotic traffic I have experienced. Drivers don’t stay in their lanes. Many don’t use the signal but everyone, whether they’re in a car or on a motorbike, uses their horn. By comparison, driving in Germany is very calm,” says Ayah, who had to pass a practical test and a theory exam to get a German licence (newcomers can use an overseas licence for up to six months).
Space for cyclists
“Coming from the Middle East, where bicycles are not a means of transport, it’s quite a contrast to see cyclists have their own lanes. Car drivers also learn laws that protect cyclists. For example, a driver can’t overtake a cyclist unless there is sufficient space (1.5m in urban areas). Sometimes if a cyclist is in front of you, and cycling slowly, you have to be patient!”
Safer for kids
As a parent, Ayah appreciates this emphasis on road safety: “When my boys are older, and perhaps cycling to school, I will be more comfortable knowing how safe it is. To be honest, it’s unusual for me and my husband to see kids cycling or walking on the streets without their parents – I’m not sure when I’ll allow my boys to go out by themselves! We were also surprised to see so many German kids going to spielplatz (playgrounds) even when the weather was freezing cold. But as one local told us: ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather. Only inappropriate clothing.’ We realised we had to adapt our clothing!”
Photo: Ayah with her husband and two boys
