Traffic Blues

The other day, as I headed back to Luanda, after taking the kids to school and looking at this view, the following quote, which I have heard from several sources at different times, popped into my head:

"WE ARE THE SUM TOTAL OF OUR CHOICES"

Did I really choose to live in this city where I can sit in a car 3 hours just to deliver my kids to school? Apparently, I did. Not every day is this bad, but one accident can turn the whole city into a mess. 

The school is approximately 20 km out of town, but the good thing is that the route goes against traffic. The kids usually spend 45 minutes in the car which is not all that bad. The problem is getting back into the city after drop off.

The oil companies, the major employers of expats, have split their headquarters between the city and the area where the school is located. For families that live near the school, but the parent/parents work in town, it means leaving between 5:00 -5:30 in the morning. Leaving later than that means the ride into town to may take up to two hours! Many parents are in bed by 09:00 pm and up by 04:00 am.

The main roads in Luanda are actually very good. However, smaller roads even within the city can be full of holes, usually from burst water pipes or poor maintenance. Some major intersections have non-functioning traffic lights or none, which allows drivers complete creativity as to how they cross the intersection. The only rule here is:  Me first!

Impossible to know how deep this is

Down town

The highway leading south is a highway in excellent shape. The biggest danger is people crossing the road or sudden, unexpected moves by other drivers.

Taxi drivers in Luanda are notorious for being the worst drivers. The taxis are smaller minivans (Blue and white) and can stop almost anywhere to pick up passengers. They weave in and out of traffic and most do not like to wait their turns, so pile-ups are common at pick up points.

Motorcycles are also crazy; driving on the opposite side of the road, head-on in order to avoid lines and weave in and out. 

Having said all that, I find driving in Luanda less stressful than in our last post where I could come home completely frazzled! Here it is more a frustration of the time that goes into sitting in the car.

Lesson learned: ALWAYS take something to read no matter how short the distance. You never know how long it may take!