Today, I got a crash course in how not to sound like a tourist in Kill Devil Hills. They say it takes 9 years of living in the Outer Banks before you are considered a real local. By those standards, I have a really long way to go.
So, as I was saying, I learned today a few ways I am showing my newbie colors every time I open my mouth. You see, I have been saying things like "I took 158 towards Manteo, but maybe I should take 12?" and "Is Corolla where the wild horses are?" These immediately make me sound silly to those seasoned beach folks here. I am using all the wrong language and pronunciations.
Here are the errors in my questions above:
1) 158 - This is the number on the signage for one of two main roads in this town. Locals call it "the bypass", something I never would have considered.
2) 12 - The other main road in town that locals call "beach road"
3) Manteo - I have been referring to this town as Man-tay-oh and it is Mannie-oh.
4) Corolla - I pronounced this like the car - Core-oh-luh. It is Cuh-ral-uh.
These small mistakes immediately identify me as "not from around here" to the locals who are used to the annual invasions of tourists in warmer weather. I am sure more of these will come with time, but for now I can make some small changes to fit in a bit better - and be understood when asking directions around town. I appreciate the lesson and will be thinking about it tomorrow morning when I decide if I should take beach road or the bypass to see the Wright Brother's site.
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