I was thinking the other day about my trip to Germany and how efficient the German transportation system is. Everywhere you want to go in Germany can be reached without a car. There are subways and trains and buses and taxis to every destination you can think of. And when you do want to drive, you have the Autobahn. No speed limit and the only two lanes wide on each side. Unlike our American highways that can have 4 to 6 lanes each direction, the German Autobahn usually only has two lanes and every driver knows that you only use the left lane to pass. Otherwise get your ass in the right lane and drive at the speed of the other vehicles. It still amazes me that we Americans haven’t figured this out with as many lanes as we have to drive in.

But…. one thing we have that is way more important than the rules of the roads is the Americans with Disabilities Act. This allows for people with handicaps to maneuver around more freely with wheel chairs, or other devices to aid people with disabilities. After trying to make my way through the subways and alley ways of Germany, I came to appreciate the access we provide her in America.

You will not find curbs with wheel chair access ramps or streets wide enough to make your way around the cars parked on the sidewalks in Germany. While they have more rules about more things when it comes to driving, parking and walking, you would be surprised to learn that they pay little attention, if any, to those who may not be able to walk normally. Just getting the kids strollers around a shopping mall was a real chore. The subways, forget it unless you are strong enough to carry strollers up and down stairs. Which we are thankfully.

For the most part, I dream of an American Autobahn, but appreciate the rules we have when it comes to providing our handicap with access to all of the facilities we take for granted. Germany can learn from us, just as we can learn from them. That is the beauty of traveling the world. I hope everyone has a chance to drive the Autobahn one day. Then maybe our freeways will be easier to drive down without the idiot on his cell phone blocking the fast lane.

I know, it’s only a dream.

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