So -- I got a different car a few weeks ago. It was time. When you get a different vehicle you see driving thru fresh, guarded lenses -- at least for a few days until the pre-owned smell wears off.
It's amazing how different you drive when you change cars - at first. Your senses are magnified; you view every car as if it was driven by a homicidal maniac. You park by straddling the lines so another vehicle can't park too close -- or you only park next to cars way nicer than yours, because they'll be careful about banging their doors into you.
I've had the great opportunity to drive and ride all over the world.
In Manila, Philippines it once took us an hour to go one mile. We easily could have walked there faster.
In India it's a mishmash of everything on wheels and legs sharing the roadway -- cars, trucks, busses, bicycles, motorcycles, cows, dogs, oxcarts, children, juggling unicyclists -- all with the legal right of way. The trucks there actually nudge people out of the way.
On the Autobahn in central Germany, where there is no speed limit for long stretches, motorists drive as if they were prepping to leap the Grand Canyon at any moment.
In a tuk-tuk in Bangkok it's better just to cover your eyes when you sit down to ride in one.
In Italy it's all about navigating the hundreds of Vespa riders as they zigzag in and out of traffic. No one there drives under 60 mph at any time, including in parking garages.
Let's not even talk about Mexico.
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| Not my car pictured. :) |
I've had the great opportunity to drive and ride all over the world.
In Manila, Philippines it once took us an hour to go one mile. We easily could have walked there faster.
In India it's a mishmash of everything on wheels and legs sharing the roadway -- cars, trucks, busses, bicycles, motorcycles, cows, dogs, oxcarts, children, juggling unicyclists -- all with the legal right of way. The trucks there actually nudge people out of the way.
On the Autobahn in central Germany, where there is no speed limit for long stretches, motorists drive as if they were prepping to leap the Grand Canyon at any moment.
In a tuk-tuk in Bangkok it's better just to cover your eyes when you sit down to ride in one.
In Italy it's all about navigating the hundreds of Vespa riders as they zigzag in and out of traffic. No one there drives under 60 mph at any time, including in parking garages.
Let's not even talk about Mexico.
The sanest place I have been is Hong Kong, where people are civil and where subways and trains are spotless of debris. Signs in the trains warn: 'No drinking or eating,' and no one does. It's barely human.
But here I am, headed out into the wild streets of Kenosha with my pre-owned vehicle, where stop signs are suggestions half the time (not to me) -- and lane lines are suggestions half the time (not to me) -- where people will sit behind the wheel while reading books, putting on makeup or deodorant, making wardrobe changes, doing arts & crafts, putting both feet up, changing diapers and even shaving (not me).
As D. Rather once said: 'Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.'
True.
And be blessed.
But here I am, headed out into the wild streets of Kenosha with my pre-owned vehicle, where stop signs are suggestions half the time (not to me) -- and lane lines are suggestions half the time (not to me) -- where people will sit behind the wheel while reading books, putting on makeup or deodorant, making wardrobe changes, doing arts & crafts, putting both feet up, changing diapers and even shaving (not me).
As D. Rather once said: 'Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.'
True.
And be blessed.
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