Circles and roundabouts Part II – Round and round we go

Last week, I was telling you about some of the things I discovered when I first moved to Europe — history, culture, community and different ways people live.

Roundabouts.

I came from a place where streets are so square and straight you could draw the road system with a ruler. It’s basically tic-tac-toe.

Elm Street meets First. First meets Broadway. Broadway meets Third — and there you have it.

Here, things are different. Vive la différence!

Much of Europe grew around what was already there — ancient roads, Roman routes and medieval streets. No, let’s make the street a circle around the plaza. Then another around that one. And another around that.

Yes! Just like a pizza.

Why stop there? Let’s keep spiralling until you’re dizzy — and then, just when you think you’ve finally escaped, one more turn before you reach the bar.

It is something I love about Europe. The roads seem to have evolved rather than been designed — making driving an adventure and, occasionally, a test of faith.

“All roads lead to Rome.”

They may. But around here, they seem to enjoy going around in circles first.

And before anyone says anything: yes, I went to driving school in Spain, studied the rules, passed the test and got my licence.

The hardest test ever. Determination. Sweat. Pain. Sorrow. Sleepless nights. Nightmares.

It felt like such an achievement that I almost wanted to have a two-by-four-metre picture made of it, framed and hung in my living room.

But I still never quite understood the roundabout.

You enter the circle, go around and eventually leave it.

If I take the third exit, do I indicate left to say, “Don’t worry, I’m staying on the roundabout,” or right because I’ll eventually be leaving it?

Experienced Spanish drivers usually say:

“Lucca, just stay in the right lane.”

So that’s what I do — even if I’m going around the entire planet before taking the third or fourth exit.

But then another question.

Why is there an inside lane?

Is it simply there to make us dizzy?

Perhaps it is a spiritual exercise.

“Be present,” it whispers.

“Stay in touch with your inner lane.”

Perhaps that is the beauty of living in another country. Just when you think you understand everything, something reminds you that you still have a lot to learn.

Sometimes, quite literally, you go around in circles.

Disclaimer of a disclaimer: Please don’t follow me. I have no idea where I’m going — and this is definitely not driving advice.

Our Música de las Américas concert with the Ayuntamiento de Marbella is October 8th. An acclaimed piano duo and soprano from Paris will perform music from across the Americas, kicking off El Día de la Hispanidad. Reservations: aif2018@hotmail.com.

This column has been occasionally and lovingly edited with a little help from AI.