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Driving in the city is so very different from driving at home. Everyone we meet seems hilariously amused or in awe that we both have a car to drive. I've given lip service to the idea of public transportation for reasons of convenience, pollution and economy, but never imagined doing so without a car handy in the background. This is why city people fly to far-away places. Why they think nothing of paying to rent a car. Why fly-over country exists. Unless they're stupid rich, commuting to a silly place, or misplaced non-urbanites, they don't own a car. Bikes, walking, buses, trolleys, subways, taxis, friends who are one of the previously named.
Driving here is strange. U turns are a legal necessity since 80% of the streets are one way. And not in any North then South then North again type pattern. On multiple lane streets it's perfectly OK to leave your car sitting in either lane with the flashers on while you go into the corner store to get milk and ciggys. Rolling stops are not only encouraged, they end up being the most polite way to get down a street. The first car to the ALL WAY stop sign is heartily encouraged to slow his car in the most minute bit before continuing on, thereby allowing the second car there that much more time. Parking is simply what you make of it. You will incur a ticket instantly if your meter runs out. You will get towed if you leave your car in a valet rented space. But you can park in bus stops and in front of fire hydrants with seeming immunity.
I was optimistically hoping for a place with a garage. Now I don't even know if I want any tools here. It will be so hard to work on my car.
Cars and the city. Different than cars in Fredericktown. Who would've guessed?
Driving here is strange. U turns are a legal necessity since 80% of the streets are one way. And not in any North then South then North again type pattern. On multiple lane streets it's perfectly OK to leave your car sitting in either lane with the flashers on while you go into the corner store to get milk and ciggys. Rolling stops are not only encouraged, they end up being the most polite way to get down a street. The first car to the ALL WAY stop sign is heartily encouraged to slow his car in the most minute bit before continuing on, thereby allowing the second car there that much more time. Parking is simply what you make of it. You will incur a ticket instantly if your meter runs out. You will get towed if you leave your car in a valet rented space. But you can park in bus stops and in front of fire hydrants with seeming immunity.
I was optimistically hoping for a place with a garage. Now I don't even know if I want any tools here. It will be so hard to work on my car.
Cars and the city. Different than cars in Fredericktown. Who would've guessed?
posted by Lord of the Barnyard at 2:31 PM
7 Comments:
Who cares about cars.
The real question is, have you been to Wawa yet?
i am astonished to see no mention of how RIDICULOUSLY OUTRAGEOUSLY SHITTY the roads are here.
cool people care about cars, jon.
the roads are shitty.
the police are lax.
there are a lot of car/road issues not addressed.
Maybe Chuck and I don't want to visit you. Bad roads make Chuck unhappy.
there's a mazadaspeed3 in the same color as chuck that runs quite regular N on 95.
now chuck must come.
in some ways the shitty roads suck. in another way, they're another (mostly) fake obstacle to choose a line around.
Simon-
You named your car Chuck?
Yes I did.
Her name is Chuck.
She is fast and sexy.
I heart Chuck
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