Sunday, November 14, 2010

Roundabout, Feeder Roads and Chivalry Is Alive

I was able to join my husband on his business trip this past week.  The city? Houston Texas.

I have always wanted to go to San Antonio, but have not thought about any other part of Texas, not sure why not, but I haven't. So this was my first time in the Lone Star State.

While hubs sat through 8 hours of class a day, I played. I charged up and down the streets in the rental car - a Dodge Charger. I have to say, I enjoyed driving that car. Big difference from the ol' Montana mini van! And while finding my way around, I had another first experience: a Roundabout. We don't have those around here. And, beyond the laughter of feeling like Chevy Chase and his European vacation, I do not think I care for those. Someone's status on facebook, a couple weeks ago, was our town needed some roundabouts. Now that I have been on one, in the wrong lane, I have to wonder, why???? I could see this would just increase the number of accidents and folks expressing road rage. We live in a town, when someone realizes, at the last minute, they need to turn right at a particular light, and they are in the left lane, they just stop. They don't go around the block and come back. They stop until they can turn right from the left hand lane.


We have all heard it said how everything is bigger in Texas. The highways and interstates seemed bigger than Atlanta's. I can't figure out if they were or if there was just a little more space between lanes and brick walls and if there was a little of an optical illusion involved. The wide open parking lots or space off the highway's might have made them seem wider. I am not sure, but they have these wonderful feeder roads. Loved traveling along the highway but not having to get actually get on it for the few blocks I needed to go when I really didn't know where I was going.



Are you still with me? Bored of the Texas traffic report? Well chivalry is alive in Texas too! Stores, restaurants, museums - any spot to encounter others, chivalry and kindness was shown. Maybe I just happened to be in the right spots to make this statement, but I noticed it in driving too. The pace was different, but I noticed there seemed to be a working together flow to things. If you needed over, as soon as your turn signal went on, someone would move over or let you in. There was no riding your tail if you might be in the slower lane. They just passed, without looking at you with anger or frustration. There seemed to be a lack of power struggle on the roads and in the stores that I realize we have around here.

The three days were fun, full of new experiences and pleasant encounters and food and food and food.  And once I get pictures downloaded, I will have a post about Bejing...sorta.

Smiles!

6 comments:

FancyHorse said...

I'm glad you enjoyed driving there. We have a brand new roundabout in our small city, and I think there are a couple in the larger city near us. I think it was a waste of money; the four-way stop seemed to work fine, as far as I could tell. Experts say there are fewer accidents in roundabouts, though.

Ballerina Girl said...

This post is so funny for me...
when we first moved to houston, I took my big Toyota 4-Runner around and around on the feeder roads and roundabouts! The highways reminded me of spiders all climbing on top of one another! They are huge there in Houston!
It is a kind and fun city...thanks for the walk down memory lane!

BG

Gayle said...

I've always wanted to visit Texas. It's great that you found the people to be friendly!

I don't like roundabouts either!

Finding Pam said...

How wonderful that you were able to see part of Texas. It is so vast and different in all parts, but I will say this about Texas is we are all friendly and nice people here.

You would love Austin and the state capitol is amazing. It takes a whole day to cross the boarders of Texas from where I live. San Antonio and the River walk, the Alamo and all of its history.

There are so many wonderful parts that make up Texas that I can't mention them all.

Can you tell that I love Texas?

Anonymous said...

I think in the south, we call that attitude southern hospitality. Or it could be all the students were in school - LOL! Isn't it wonderful to get away every year or so and let your brain just have fun!

Anonymous said...

I think in the south, we call that attitude southern hospitality. Or it could be all the students were in school - LOL! Isn't it wonderful to get away every year or so and let your brain just have fun!