After three and a half weeks of bureaucratic manuevering, I've finally been able to get a drivers license and rent a car. As the prototypical middle class American, I haven't been this long without a car and being able to drive since I was 16 (a long time indeed!). It has made a lot of the moving/settling in process very difficult. When I first drove last night I had the clear feeling I was back in control; beyond a doubt, this is an illusion. Still, now we can get around the city, see more of the sights, shop without making it an expedition. We will begin taking more pictures, which I will post on the blog.
The downside is now I have to negotiate the traffic, which I describe in a post below. When people talk about driving here they often say "When you get in an accident..." like it's just going to happen sooner or later. It will be a challenge.