Destruction Derby...Almost

Recently I had one of the best driving experiences of my life.  As a boy I use to love to go to the arcade and sit in the auto racers, California Speed (or whatever it was called), and drive without rules and without fear of what obstacles were there.  I just did that in real life--except there were still obstacles.  All driving rules that had been ingrained in me since I was young were forgotten, actually only about 70%, but having to only follow about 30% of the rules makes driving such an adventure.  Of course there is the added difficulty of everybody else only following about 30% of the rules and constantly having to guess which 30% will be followed.  Additionally, there is the pedestrian factor; at any given moment in time a man, woman, donkey, or six year old child will step into the road to cross the street.  One particular road was just like driving a video game, especially on Friday mornings (nobody is out because it is their weekly sabbath).  We called it "the ditch," the Arabic transliteration is As-Salia, but it is basically a 1400 year old aqueduct that runs through the old city just below ground built entirely out of stone with various tunnels and bridges and dips and drops and twists and turns and perfect for enjoying a leisurely adventure drive.

As I was driving, weaving in and out of traffic, driving the wrong way on a one-way street, or otherwise just getting where I needed to go I thought of all the people I knew and realized there were those who would thrive driving without the rules and others who would go crazy and not be able to function without too much stress.  If the non-functioning stressed out individual was driving, I'd want to be anywhere but in that vehicle.  I realized it takes someone who has a more aggressive attitude toward life (and driving) and yet can enjoy the laid back lack of structure.  Because sometimes the rules matter and you have to stop at the intersection, other times you slow down long enough to see if there is traffic then drive straight through the red light passed the policeman standing in the middle of the intersection and its perfectly normal.  I love it.  Of course the down side is now that I'm back in America, my desire to do those things has to be held constantly in check by the thought of anal policemen and expensive ticket taxes as a result of a few little things called rules.  Jon and Rich, drive in Yemen, you'd love it, at least the times that aren't bumper to bumper traffic.  Mom, I'm sorry but don't even think about it, I'm not even sure I'd want you in the car because you might be freaking out a bit.


Its a lot less fun to watch, but a lot of fun to do, so here's to driving in 'the ditch,' cheers.