Walk On The Wild Side

Simple things we take for granted in the U.S., like crossing the road, is actually a big deal in Vietnam.  I've not seen any stop signs and very few crosswalks.  Traffic lights are an endangered species, almost extinct.  There is a pecking order on the roadways - might makes right.  So naturally pedestrians are at the bottom of the food chain.  Even bikes get more respect.  And to think that (most) cars actually stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks back home.  What a novel idea, don't take it for granted.  

It took a long time to muster the courage to step out in front of on-coming traffic.  After all, mother always said to look both ways before crossing the road.  But you cannot wait until the coast is clear - Hanoi never sleeps.  There's no need to dodge the traffic, it just swerves around you, like a river current.  The trick is to keep moving slowly and never take your eye off the motorists.  You're dead meat (literally) if you go backwards or make any erratic movements.  

Do you remember all those stupid jokes about the chicken crossing the road?  Now I understand what it's like to be an animal caught in traffic.  Of course, they hardly ever make it to the other side.  Images of squirrels, turtles, and opossums will forever haunt me.  I hope to God that I never run over one again.  It would be some bad karma.