Today was the day we were going to 'tick the box' and get our führerscheinsehtest (drivers license eye test).
Before leaving we put Barney in his crate and he seemed quiet enough as we left the house. We paused out in the courtyard only to hear him barking non stop. We knew the neighbours that had complained were still at home so we couldn't leave him like that. Anyway, this is the first time he's ever been crated like this so perhaps it was too much too soon. We went back inside and dressed him up to come with us.
So! the three of us went to the nearest Optiker. Barney was allowed inside so that was good. We got a nice optician that spoke very good English.
Now, before continuing the story, both Nordine and I have had colds for the past few days and we have had terrible sleep over that time. Last night was the worst sleep I have had since coming here, and Nordines not much better. I had put off having the eye exam before as I feel my eyesight is worse when I am tired. Time was running out as we had already made an appointment so we just went ahead with it today.
At the optician I went first. I was already aware that we would be looking at little circles and need to identify where the little cut outs in the circle are located. Seems easy enough.
At first she struggled to read the first row, but she soon got the hang of it and 'aced' the rest of the test.
With her finished and official document stamped I took to the machine again. Even after my time to compose and hold a tissue (?) I still couldn't make anything out to even begin to pass. No amount of squinting or trying to cheat was helping. I stopped before even reading anything out and had to abort again. These things aren't free to do so no point in wasting money.
Nordine paid her money for the test, a reasonable 6.43 Euros, and I wasn't charged for my farcical attempts. We then had a discussion about my issue. We talked about trying the test again but she said the first row is just to check the test is working, but to pass you need to be able to correctly identify every single circle. I had to be sensible and agree that even on my best day I probably wouldn't be able to pass. I would need glasses if I was to pass this test. Coming to terms with this was quite the dent to my Peter Pan complex (and maybe a further dent to my wallet).
We went through the shop and I said 'Well what inexpensive glasses do you have just so I can pass the test?' She showed me a selection from the 'special' draw which were inexpensive but all completely horrible! If worst came to worst then I would get a pair from this selection but I would rather avoid it. She also was going to charge around 25 euros just to check my eyes. Everything else in the shop was hundreds of euros as this place is more boutique'y rather than catering to my type of custom. We thanked the lady but left to go to another optician which I knew was nearby.
We walked up to another optician, another boutique type operation, only glasses I liked were 200 euros - too much! We continued on to Fielmann, a large chain of opticians and they were busy. They had lots more to choose from and of course the all important budget range. That had glasses ranging from 17.50 complete (frame, lenses and eye test!). I didn't really like these. There were some others that I was interested in so we asked for some help. After a while we were served by a cool guy, Herr Milster.
I went through the full eye test which was quite a process. Better, worse, yes, no it seemed to go for ages.
These things apparently will be ready of the morning of our license exchange appointment so it may be a bit of a tight squeeze to get the glasses, redo the führerscheinsehtest and make the morning appointment at the district office. We will see what Wednesday brings.
Before leaving we put Barney in his crate and he seemed quiet enough as we left the house. We paused out in the courtyard only to hear him barking non stop. We knew the neighbours that had complained were still at home so we couldn't leave him like that. Anyway, this is the first time he's ever been crated like this so perhaps it was too much too soon. We went back inside and dressed him up to come with us.
So! the three of us went to the nearest Optiker. Barney was allowed inside so that was good. We got a nice optician that spoke very good English.
Now, before continuing the story, both Nordine and I have had colds for the past few days and we have had terrible sleep over that time. Last night was the worst sleep I have had since coming here, and Nordines not much better. I had put off having the eye exam before as I feel my eyesight is worse when I am tired. Time was running out as we had already made an appointment so we just went ahead with it today.
At the optician I went first. I was already aware that we would be looking at little circles and need to identify where the little cut outs in the circle are located. Seems easy enough.
I started the test and looked into the machine thing to be confronted by rows of fuzzy circles. I couldn't make out any of them clearly at all. My eyes were feeling tired, and knowing I couldn't pass this test just made things worse. I still tried to evaluate the top row and pretty much just made up where the cut outs were. The optician said 'Maybe you are reading the second row?'.
I aborted the test, told the lady I was very tired and unwell. She gave me a tissue (I don't know if because I was sniffling or because she may have thought I was about to cry!).
We swapped chairs and Nordine had a go. Without her glasses she couldn't make out anything at all. But of course you are supposed to take the test with any vision aids you need. Glasses on she tried again.
At first she struggled to read the first row, but she soon got the hang of it and 'aced' the rest of the test.
With her finished and official document stamped I took to the machine again. Even after my time to compose and hold a tissue (?) I still couldn't make anything out to even begin to pass. No amount of squinting or trying to cheat was helping. I stopped before even reading anything out and had to abort again. These things aren't free to do so no point in wasting money.
Nordine paid her money for the test, a reasonable 6.43 Euros, and I wasn't charged for my farcical attempts. We then had a discussion about my issue. We talked about trying the test again but she said the first row is just to check the test is working, but to pass you need to be able to correctly identify every single circle. I had to be sensible and agree that even on my best day I probably wouldn't be able to pass. I would need glasses if I was to pass this test. Coming to terms with this was quite the dent to my Peter Pan complex (and maybe a further dent to my wallet).
We went through the shop and I said 'Well what inexpensive glasses do you have just so I can pass the test?' She showed me a selection from the 'special' draw which were inexpensive but all completely horrible! If worst came to worst then I would get a pair from this selection but I would rather avoid it. She also was going to charge around 25 euros just to check my eyes. Everything else in the shop was hundreds of euros as this place is more boutique'y rather than catering to my type of custom. We thanked the lady but left to go to another optician which I knew was nearby.
We walked up to another optician, another boutique type operation, only glasses I liked were 200 euros - too much! We continued on to Fielmann, a large chain of opticians and they were busy. They had lots more to choose from and of course the all important budget range. That had glasses ranging from 17.50 complete (frame, lenses and eye test!). I didn't really like these. There were some others that I was interested in so we asked for some help. After a while we were served by a cool guy, Herr Milster.
I went through the full eye test which was quite a process. Better, worse, yes, no it seemed to go for ages.
After that was over, Herr Milster and I settled on a reasonable set of 'driving glasses' and did up the paperwork. All up its going to cost me 37.50 euros. Not too bad.
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