Driving in Brazil

Driving in Brazil is very creative.  Yes there are laws and rules and it's important to obey them.

But - it's interesting to see how many of the "rules" are more like suggestions.

Like:

• Going the correct way on a one way street - especially if your garage is at one end and you just need to get to the other end to get to work / restaurant / beach.
• Turning left or right from the closest lane.  If you're in in the far lane and need to make a turn (despite cutting across several lanes of traffic), it can still be done.
• Stopping in the middle of the street - to pick someone up / drop someone off / talk to a friend in the next car.
• Riding your bike in the fast lane towards oncoming traffic.   You get bonus points if you are also carrying

• small children
• propane tanks
• several people precariously balanced

But the best thing thus far happened today.  At lunchtime, leaving our restaurant which was located at the end of a 4 lane highway before a bridge with no turnoffs, I asked the valet the best way to get back to our neighborhood (the opposite direction).  He told me I had to go across the bridge, then turn around and come back via the other bridge and street - pretty much what I expected.

But when we got ready to go - they suggested we instead drive the opposite direction of traffic, straddling the sidewalk and the street for about a block until we could turn right and head to the other highway.  We had a valet person motioning us along and clearing the way.

I love driving in Brazil!