So You Think You Can Drive

One of my goals for my semester is to learn how to drive a manual car. (Don´t worry Mom, only in Santa Rosa) Automatic cars here are very expensive and often for handicapped people...like if you don´t have two arms or legs or whatever. However, there are some very distinctive differences between transportation here and in the U.S. 

1. The stoplight turns yellow before turning red, but also turns yellow before turning green.
2. Stop signs are merely a poor use of space. Stopping is overrated - simply slow down in the middle of the intersection and see if anyone else is coming. Often there will be multiple cars in middle of the intersertion, nearly hitting each other.
3. Turning signals? Also overrated. In fact, if you want to weave in and out of traffic that´s fine. Or even better, feel free to make your own lane in the middle of two. 
4. Bicyclist in your lane? Don´t bother looking over your shoulder, just go around them in the other lane...if there is a car there, they will automatically know you are going to go around the bicyclist and will be prepared to go into the lane next to them.
5. If you want to take the Subte, don´t be surprised to find the opportunity to purchase socks, hair ties or gum while en-route. People come by selling a variety of products and simply place the item on your lap until they come back and see if you want to purchase it. Last week there was also a band that traveled from car to car on the Subte I was on...keeps you on your toes.
6. Have an issue with personal space? Don´t take the Subte during peak hours. I made this mistake last week and let me tell you...it was unlike anything I have ever experienced. Normally there are people standing and sitting and that´s pretty standard for anywhere. However, around 6 pm you can´t move - literally. People shove you on and you become one with the 30 people around you. No need for hand rails because you couldn´t move if you wanted to...good luck getting off.