Traffic

You’d think I’d be better at posting on here, especially with some big things having happened recently, but it’s not the case. Thanks for putting up with me. What I’m going to write now isn’t even one of the big things that’s happened lately, but just something I was thinking about on my way home this evening.

Some of the roads here are easy to drive on and some aren’t. Those that are hard to drive on can be that way for a few different reasons. For example, after the rain yesterday, one of the dirt roads by my house was awful – several inches of pure mud. I was white-knuckling it all the way and was glad that I didn’t fall into the mud somewhere along the way.

However, other roads are hard to drive on because of the traffic. As I was driving on one such road this evening, I finally realized what I could compare it to that you may be able to understand. First of all, take a 5 or 6 lane highway just outside of Chicago, where people weave back and forth all the time. Now, imagine that almost everyone is on motorcycles, which are skinnier, so the road still has 5 to 6 people next to each other, but it’s only 2 skinny lanes. Everyone is still weaving in and out all the time, though. Now, imagine that instead of being on the interstate, you’re driving down the main alley at the local flea market. There are people everywhere; people are standing and walking and running and chatting and buying and getting in and out of taxis, etc. There is also merchandise for sale along the side of the road and others wandering down the road with stuff to sell. Remember, you still have about 5-6 lanes of traffic, weaving in and out, on 2 skinny lanes. Now, add random speedbumps in the middle of the road. The one saving grace? There is no speed limit, but most people with motorized transport are only going between 10 and 30 miles per hour, with only the random person who speeds driving twice as fast.

I’m not quite sure that does it justice, but I think you get the picture. I have learned how to drive a motorcycle here, though, and couldn’t imagine having to drive one in the US. But if you think of it, you could pray for safety on the roads. We’d all appreciate it.