might help. One of my friends has it in his car and it seems to work pretty well. Its true though that streets close without warning.

I have been here about a year and it took me a good three months to be confident I knew where I was going. There is no street references and addresses here like there is in the US. You have to learn landmarks and the names of roundabouts.

You can easily get a cellphone with a prepaid service without a residents permit. You will neeed to take your passport though.

Thrift stores here may be a step too far. They do have them but they hold little if any charm.