Port-Gentil Parking Technique

So here's the side view of a gutter safe enough to drive your 4x4 over when parking in front of the stores on the main street in town. While it certainly looks topsy turvy, experience so far has proven that this is nothing to worry about. Of course I do try to aim just right when pulling up, as any large, loose cement block lying in the way could do enough damage to my car to get Olivier all worked up. Now compare the above to this less-well maintained gutter cover in front of the main pharmacy in town, just a little way up the road. You've got to pay some serious attention to what you're doing when parking, but even more so when backing out into traffic. Any false move -- however slight -- and your steering wheel may slip just enough to get you seriously wedged into an unpleasant spot.


My solution, therefore, is to drive in at an angle and take up as many parking places as it takes to ensure my saftey coming in and out. I've heard some non-driving bystanders (such as the ones to the left in the picture) whisper "regarde comme elle se gare" (Look at the way she parks), but to be quite honest, I don't see any alternative.