Train > car (in Boston)

Some time ago, Chuck and I decided we would not bring cars with us to Boston. With the cost of parking, gas, insurance, registration, etc., we decided a monthly train pass would save us a lot of money and a lot of headaches. So far, I'm really happy with our decision. I mean, REALLY happy. This is what Boston traffic looks like pretty much all hours of the day.

Last weekend while our parents were here, we got a chance to ride around the city running errands, sight seeing, and finding the nearest Walmart, Target, IKEA, and more.  And let me just say, it was crazy. I feared for our lives every time we were in the car. Boston roads are nothing like Louisville roads. There are basically NO traffic rules here, except that bikers and pedestrians seem to have the right of way in all cases.

There are bikers EVERYWHERE. There are pedestrians EVERYWHERE. There are rotaries and tunnels and bridges and intersections that split into 7-10 different routes.  Sometimes there are roads with no real lanes. It's just every man for himself.  In Louisville, there are signs everywhere that say "NO U-turn."  Here, there are designated places to do U-turns. Like, they encourage them!

Oh, and I failed to mention that while you are navigating the roads with no lanes as you go through a tunnel under a river, dodging bikers and looking for signs for your exit, you're probably also being honked at. There's lots of honking here. All of this makes me very glad that we're using public transportation.  So far it has been extremely convenient and easy. But riding the T is apparently a whole different kind of adventure. Someone we met here mentioned she once saw a clown in full costume and make-up get on the T with a unicycle. I kind of can't wait to see something like that.