An Extra 37 Seconds …

By Ryan Leake
February 24, 2012
www.RDbaseball.org

Karma: noun.  action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation; fate, destiny. (www.dictionary.reference.com)

The Bad

Drivers in Northern California are terrible.  Other than myself, there aren’t many smart, safe, or smooth drivers anywhere in the world.  But people up here are an absolute disaster on the road.  I’ve driven in Sweden where getting from point A to point B may include a coffee break (termed fika) at point C, a potty stop at point D, an impulsive detour to point E, and some meatballs with lingonberries at point Q (also known as Ikea).  That’s fine in Sweden; Swedes are the happiest, most care-free people I’ve ever met and speed isn’t really part of life as a Swede.

I’ve driven in Peru, and despite constantly fearing for my life, Peruvians are clearly talented.  Even without road signs, stop lights, any trace of traffic laws, or regard for pedestrians, Peruvians somehow find a way to navigate tumultuous roads paved with uneven brick and cobblestone.  In Peru a driver can’t really tell which way a “one-way” road is supposed to flow so if two cars meet heading in opposite directions it becomes a scene from any great getaway movie where the vigilante driver quickly throws the car in reverse.