Vi ewp o int

Viewpoint: Orwellian future? No, Roswellian

By Jeff Wheelwright

Waiting for the roundabout to come to Morro Bay is like waiting for the arrival of a UFO. You feel excited but also frightened, because you know that once you get into one you might never come out.

Now, many people in Morro Bay don’t believe in roundabouts. They’re totally opposed to the idea, as they are to UFOs. Possibly these people have already been taken by extraterrestrials and put back here in order to deny the whole thing.

But I am all for the roundabout. It will do for our city what space aliens have done for Roswell, New Mexico, which is to make us a tourist destination. People will come from far and wide hoping to see the contraption, and the brave ones may dare to try it.

When I went into my first roundabout, I was in England. It was scary initially, because in England I had to drive in the wrong direction around the circle. Also, I didn’t know which road I should take to get out of it. But the good thing about a roundabout is that you can take your time to decide. It’s not against the law to stay inside the thing and ride it like a perpetual merry-go-round until you’ve had your fill and can figure your way out. Anyway, after traveling around a few times, I felt exhilarated, transported

even, an out-of-body experience that I hope to feel again in Morro Baby. Snug and warm inside a circular spacecraft, looking out at the world, well, it should be great fun. Especially for us drivers getting on in age.

Jeff Wheelwright lives in Morro Bay.