Getting Around In Nichada

In Nichada, most families use a golf cart or similar type of buggy to get around in the community and to the areas immediately outside of the gates. We purchased our golf cart from someone who was leaving the Embassy and it was waiting in our driveway when we arrived. Since our automobile will not arrive for another several weeks (and our bikes even later than that), this is our primary means of transportation around Nichada right now. I should note that we are the farthest neighborhood from the center of Nichada and that is just at a distance of one mile. So, while it is certainly not a hardship to be without a golf cart, it is much easier and quicker to get to the grocery store, Starbuck's or the gym with one. While I am fine driving the cart inside Nichada, going outside the gates is always a heartstopping adventure. Since there is an amazing mall, a few great restaurants and some very unique shops outside the gates, it is well worth the effort (and risk to one's life) to get out there.

As mentioned before, golf carts, cars, bicycles and motorcycles (as well as the occasional dog, cow, chicken, elephant, or water buffalo) all share the same very narrow streets. As also mentioned before, there are either no traffic laws or no one enforces them because it seems to be a free for all. We have been told that general rule of thumb is that the bigger vehicle has the right of way so that is what I follow. Given that I don't understand the street signs and that there is no rhyme or reason to the layout of the streets, it is amazing that the kids and I have made it to the mall (twice), to the driving range and out to lunch with friends without an incident.