Brazilian Logic

As we zoomed up the hill to work the other morning, we began discussing how what was a two lane road on the weekends became a four lane road on the weekdays. Buses careen in and out of traffic, weaving with eye popping vehicular dexterity.

Motorcycles, fearlessly take on death as they pass on your right, driving in the gutter, or on the left playing chicken with the oncoming traffic. Even though I am a mere passenger, an observer of the absolute chaos of Brazilian driving, I always feel slightly relieved to get to work.

You know that successful feeling you have after making it to work on a really junky snowy day? Yup, same feeling every morning. Our Brazilian friend assured us that it was supposed to be four lanes. I asked why there weren't any lines... she thought maybe they had just forgot to paint them.

Driving home with the same friend we shocked her with the obscenities we shouted at a driver who almost smashed into us. We were in a left/go straight lane and he tried to turn left from the right lane. She informed us that he thought we were turning left. No #$%&! However, why is he making a left hand turn across traffic from the right lane? Why? Well, our friend thought he wanted to go left. Really? We are so glad she clarified that after he almost drove us into the canal.

Needless to say... I love Brazilians...but I have yet to see them drive with any sort of predictable pattern or walk in a straight line.