How Do We Get There?

I've learned that if you can plan a car trip making only right turns things are much better. The road system here is largely made up of broad streets with boulevards separating the different directions of traffic. As you approach a road (especially from a side street) you need to expect that you will only be able to turn right. Hopefully there is a U-turn opportunity soon - but frequently, the u-turns are presented quite a way down the road (1KM or more).

So, often we will plan a trip so that we over-shoot where we need to be so that when we get to our road, we turn right (instead of left). This requires that you also know what side of the road your destination is on, too. Because if you don't, you will find yourself shooting down the road - seeing your destination on the other side - no left turn opportunities to go there - hoping that a u-turn comes up soon.

I don't know why they have designed the roads this way. It is very unforgiving. We often find ouselves saying, "There it is!" and pointing in desparation resigning ourselves to the now inevitable trips around the block, or seeking a u-turn, or desparately hoping a second chance might appear (it rarely does).

Gradually, as we figure out more and more of the city, we're getting better at this. But it can make for some interesting map studies as we plot our way to the shops.