Traffic Jam

Again it is raining buckets. And I am bringing the kids to yet another birthday party. It is at least a well thought out one: we drop the kids and pick them up. Caveat: a 45-minutes trip twice. Under the rain (a.k.a. traffic jams). With no parking (the usual). And my ski-boot to carry around with my cane.
When I returned picking my sugared-high kids, I realized how terrible the whole road network is, even outside the plano piloto  (the other name for the city or downtown). Well, I guess I knew that, it was only a confirmation. Everyone is in direction to Sao Sebastian, as it is the only way there from the city. And when it is raining the traffic is worst.

Because civil engineers and urban planners here hate street lights and prefer using rounds-abouts, the circulation is completely backed up for about 2 km. The entire length of the road between two rounds-abouts (the one above JK bridge and the one of the Botanical Garden, near our house, maybe a good 2 km), is backed up car to car. Why? Because of these round-abouts. When a driver reaches a round about, he needs to yield to those already engaged. It means that the flow of traffic trickles car by car, specially at rush hour, cutting completely the flow to a deadly walking speed. This system is only efficient when the traffic flow is light to medium. Otherwise, at high traffic volume, add a red light and the problem is solved. I wish. 
With my cranked up kids back in the car, I felt bless to have an alternate road as an option to return home. I just drove back down towards the city, and took the road along the lake. A few extra km, but probably 30 minutes saved. Those living in Sao Sebastian are not that lucky.