As a fairly new resident to Alberta and a new driver, I tend to mostly stay within the familiar borders of St. Albert unless I have a chauffeur and as a result, I really have no clue how to get to anywhere in Edmonton.
That point brings about something I really appreciated in the Jane Jacobs excerpt we read. It wasn’t merely about Edmonton and landmarks which sometimes I’m ashamed to admit I have no clue where they are or why they are of interest (this class is already helping a lot with that). Her writing made me think about the confusion I felt regarding travelling within Edmonton but also sympathize with the frustration she felt with the poorly designed road system in Toronto. I know someone in class mentioned that Winnipeg was really bad in regards to driving and I wholeheartedly agree! This summer I was there and I managed to not only start driving the wrong way down a one way street (got out just in time to avoid causing any major collisions) but then because I was so on edge and panicky, I drove rather slowly into the side of a building while in a parking lot. Needless to say, I will not be driving around the ‘Peg by myself anytime soon.
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Driving around St. Albert is so calming and then driving around in Edmonton is ridiculous! I am so confused by the grid system and the one ways and the traffic! I cannot believe how scared I get driving around Edmonton *I'm a new driver too* so you are not alone, everything is so confusing when it comes to driving in Edmonton.
ReplyDeleteYeah I totally agree, driving in Edmonton is confusing, not to mention scary as hell... I don't even have my license yet and I know this! I thought I was going to die when my driving instructor told me to go downtown... For some reason everyone I know that had started just driving turn into very angry people when they drive, and I thought they just had issues, but now I know how frustrating Edmonton driving is. Downtown is great and all but very annoying, especially those random one-way streets. Also, doesn't it drive you insane how hard it is to find parking? I notice this in my friends and my boyfriend too; they're fairly relaxed new drivers, but the moment they enter downtown, they panic about where they are, which road to take, how to avoid going into the wrong road and getting hit by incoming traffic, etc. or they get frustrated about finding a place to park. I don't drive but I feel your pain :(
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