"My Car in Managua" is a personal essay by American writer Richard Rodriguez, in which he reflects on his experience of owning a car during a summer in Nicaragua. He contrasts the car culture of his native California with the chaotic streets of Managua, where traffic laws are ignored and a driver's skill and bravado are prized. Rodriguez is initially fearful of driving in this environment, but ultimately comes to embrace it as a way of feeling more connected to the people and culture around him. The essay explores themes of cultural identity, class, and the meaning of ownership, all through the lens of the author's experience behind the wheel in a foreign land.