I need to rant about the traffic! Let me record for posterity the driving conditions around here:

Most drivers don't seem to think much of the left or right blinkers. It is usually your job to anticipate when someone may want to cross over to your lane. They are seem inordinately fond of the horn. I have heard more people honk in the Connecticut - New York commute in the last seven days than I probably have in the last one year in California. Of course with such liberal use of horns, everyone has gotten inured to its use. Most don't even bother to look when you honk. I come from a country where blowing your car's horn seem to be a national pastime. But unfortunately, I now find it difficult to invoke my bloodthirstiness in such matters. Age catching up I guess ..

The transport systems suck. The roads are narrower. Well, I can appreciate that in older cities like these it is very difficult to shut down the roads for repair since so much traffic is plying over the bridges every day. But I am also yet to see a a single place where U turns are allowed. The road signs are confusing as hell and often won't make any sense to anyone other than those living in that area.

The traffic is terrible. The only place worse than this during office hours is probably the beltway in DC.

Please note that I am not trying to say in a roundabout way that I am missing California. I am fine! It is just that I am used to driving being a pleasant experience. And I now have wake up at 4.30 AM tomorrow morning to reach Pennsylvania by 9 AM - a journey which should not really take more than two hours.

Update: I chickened out. I am leaving for PA tonight rather than tomorrow morning.