Mario Kart

Moo Moo Meadows in action. (Image from IGN.com)

So you know when you are playing Mario Kart and there are banana peels, bombs, and colorful boxes scattered everywhere with a dozen crazy drivers plus COWS crossing the road all Moo Moo Meadows style?

That's basically what driving is like here and in most developing countries. You've gotta be on your game or you'll end up in a pothole or stuck between 15 motorcyclists or possibly squished by a giant piranha plant.

A little while ago the four-lane "highway" near my house underwent some construction and turned into a five-lane highway. You would think that one more lane = more space for cars = less crazy driving, BUT no one painted lines on this lovely stretch of road. Therefore, every time I approached that street I would get that horrible feeling like when I'm playing Mario Kart, zooming down Moonview Highway, and I think that every move I make might be my last. Where is the line? Where am I supposed to be? Which side of the road am I really on? Will I get squished by that semi that wont stop blaring his horn?

Ladies and gentlemen, they painted the lines last week. Let me tell you, lines make a difference. I feel good. I know where I'm going. I know what side of the road I'm on. I have included a picture for your viewing enjoyment. And yes, lines being painted on the road was indeed the most note-worthy news of the week.