Bangkok

Thailand 

Dear Friends, 

“Aren’t you afraid to drive?”  

A friend of mine asked me that question when we were comparing notes about our travels.   I mentioned that I had recently rented cars in both Morocco and Portugal. 

“No, I am not afraid to drive.” 

Over the past twelve months I have driven in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.  In Israel I drove from Tel Aviv to Tzfat, but in both directions, I must admit, I got terribly lost in the hilly streets of Haifa! 

In case you are wondering, no, I will never drive in Thailand.   Here we drive on the "wrong side" of the road.  (I did manage a successful motor tour of Western Australia several years ago.) 

In fact, driving in a foreign country is one of my favorite activities.  Stop for a hot coffee in a small town.  Buy clean socks or fresh pastry at a market in an “off the beaten track” village.  Pause for a photo shoot on the banks of a quiet river, or near a beflowered hillside, or on a lonely mountain top.  

My next foreign road adventure is already planned. (September 10 – November 14.)  But as I once again ponder my friend’s question, I regret to report that my answer is quite the opposite.   Perforce, I will be gingerly navigating the streets and highways of one of the most dangerous areas in the world. 

Miami, Florida, USA! 

To put it mildly, I am apprehensive.

I-95, here I come.  

Wish me luck. 

Jan