Driving
Ok ok, yesterday's entry was just a joke. We still drive cars here. Alot.
Driving in Iceland can be hazardous, though. I highly recommend that visitors drive with extreme caution, both out in the country and in town. Gravel roads, ill-manned jeeps and wandering sheep pose serious rural threats to the average driver, while urban speedsters tailgate and cut each other off with practiced insolence. Trying to parallel park the correct way, by backing in, usually results in your parking space being taken by the car behind you; just do what everyone else does and nose in at a crazy angle. When a stoplight turn green, don't be surprised if the car opposite you takes their left turn before you get a chance to drive straight through, and certainly don't assume that someone isn't gunning up to run the light that's just turned red. If you drive too slow people will pass you impatiently, even if it means driving up onto the side walk. And finally, try to remember that Icelanders have a inherent aversion to the concept of merging.
I don't mean to sound ironic or bitter about it at all. I understand that driving in urban Italy is a total nightmare, and Parisians can cause nervous breakdowns with their skills. But the difference in Iceland is that there should be room for everyone. There are only about 150,000 people in the greater Reykjavik area and a fairly well-designed roadway infrastructure, but it sometimes feels like everyone wants to be driving exactly where you are. What's up with that?
It's all about independence, and pride. Every man woman and child in Iceland feels the same intense sense of ownership of the island. Every individual has the same inherent right to do exactly what they want to do, at least within the letter of the law. And for us sons and daughters of Óðinn to give in to some prescribed social formula of diplomacy and structured behavior, of rules and regulations, is almost impossible. I'm sure our ancestors didn't act much differently back in the old days...but then again, they were on horseback, weren't they?
So be careful. Insurace claims by visiting rental car drivers are going through the roof, and I suspect it might be because visitors are tempted to try to drive like the locals, something I personally don't recommend!!!
Humorous note: in one country town cops are escorting tourists with infractions to the local cash machine to make sure they pay up right away!
Driving in Iceland can be hazardous, though. I highly recommend that visitors drive with extreme caution, both out in the country and in town. Gravel roads, ill-manned jeeps and wandering sheep pose serious rural threats to the average driver, while urban speedsters tailgate and cut each other off with practiced insolence. Trying to parallel park the correct way, by backing in, usually results in your parking space being taken by the car behind you; just do what everyone else does and nose in at a crazy angle. When a stoplight turn green, don't be surprised if the car opposite you takes their left turn before you get a chance to drive straight through, and certainly don't assume that someone isn't gunning up to run the light that's just turned red. If you drive too slow people will pass you impatiently, even if it means driving up onto the side walk. And finally, try to remember that Icelanders have a inherent aversion to the concept of merging.
I don't mean to sound ironic or bitter about it at all. I understand that driving in urban Italy is a total nightmare, and Parisians can cause nervous breakdowns with their skills. But the difference in Iceland is that there should be room for everyone. There are only about 150,000 people in the greater Reykjavik area and a fairly well-designed roadway infrastructure, but it sometimes feels like everyone wants to be driving exactly where you are. What's up with that?
It's all about independence, and pride. Every man woman and child in Iceland feels the same intense sense of ownership of the island. Every individual has the same inherent right to do exactly what they want to do, at least within the letter of the law. And for us sons and daughters of Óðinn to give in to some prescribed social formula of diplomacy and structured behavior, of rules and regulations, is almost impossible. I'm sure our ancestors didn't act much differently back in the old days...but then again, they were on horseback, weren't they?
So be careful. Insurace claims by visiting rental car drivers are going through the roof, and I suspect it might be because visitors are tempted to try to drive like the locals, something I personally don't recommend!!!
Humorous note: in one country town cops are escorting tourists with infractions to the local cash machine to make sure they pay up right away!
posted by Maria Alva Roff at Wednesday, September 01, 2004
1 Comments:
Hilarious..:) Can I bring me horse with me then?
I should fair better on it.
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