My ignorance was just exposed.

[Lobsang]

@Ignatz

So what’s the first country you hit when you travel due west from the closest part of the USA?

Is this a trick question?

From around Maine you’ll hit Ireland

[Lobsang]

Trick question or not - I still got it wrong. Due west means directly west.

So I guess you’ll hit Bordeaux in France.

[commasense]

Well Ignatz’ question confused me, and Lobsang’s answers confused me even more.

@Ignatz

So what’s the first country you hit when you travel due west from the closest part of the USA?

The closest part of the USA from what? Due west of Maine is Canada, of Laredo, TX, is Mexico, of Alaska is Russia, of Hawaii is lots of ocean until you get to the Philippines and China.

@Lobsang

So I guess you’ll hit Bordeaux in France.

I think west is to the left on most maps.

[Lobsang]

@commasense

I think west is to the left on most maps.

I think you might be right :smack:

[commasense]

I’ll tell you, the deterioration of my so-called brain (at the ripe old age of 52) has gotten to the point that I was worried that after posting that last message I would suddenly realize I had made a horrible mistake, and that of course France is west of the USA.

It’s all Ignatz’ fault for asking a confused question.

[Antinor01]

@commasense

I’ll tell you, the deterioration of my so-called brain (at the ripe old age of 52) has gotten to the point that I was worried that after posting that last message I would suddenly realize I had made a horrible mistake, and that of course France is west of the USA.

It’s all Ignatz’ fault for asking a confused question.

Well, France is west of the US. There’s just a bunch of other countries between them in that direction.

[Shecky]

@matt_mcl

Actually, the fact that it’s a (mid-20th century) planned city is its distinguishing feature, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for that reason.

Also popular amongst the locals: Brasilia’s shaped like the airplane that will get you away from there.
Did you know there’s also a railway station at the “tail” of the plane? Not that there’s rail SERVICE, but the station is nice and the long distance buses leave from there.
The lake you see is toxic, and in the wrong direction for the prevailing winds. The idea was that it would cool the city down as the wind went across it. So, now the rich live in “Lago Sul” which has a really nice breeze.
Each block is called a SuperQuadra, or SuperBlock. It’s supposed to have designated residential and small business areas. The older ones that were built first are magnificent, with trees and flowers to reduce mosquitos and increase shade. After a while the building was rushed, resulting in a treeless, air-conditioning centric city.