Traffic

For those who have been to Cairo, the traffic is… utterly indescribable.

Between the pedestrians, the blackandwhite taxis, the other drivers, myriad delivery scooters, the police “directing traffic” (often while sleeping), the occasional donkey carts and bread boys (who carry pallets of bread on their heads while riding bicycles) and complete lack of or, at least, lack of attention to anything that resembles “rules of the road” it makes Cairo a very interesting place.

It is not unusual to see 4 or 5 cars abreast on a (nominally) 3 lane road.  Some of them may be driving in reverse, to get back to the exit or side street that they missed.  And even MORE interesting is how NORMAL all of this seems after having been there for a  while.

Seattle’s “traffic” is laughable after Cairo.  And, more to the point, it is difficult to understand or navigate.  People stay in lanes.  People stop for pedestrians.  Jay walking is a ticketable offense.  No-one uses reverse on the highway.  Sidewalks are not for parking, and pedestrians in the street confuse Seattlites.  One would think that these rules would make it easier – but, in my view, they prevent actual forward progress from happening.

When I see Seattle “traffic” I see this:

whereas when I see Cairo traffic, I see this:

We are modified by experience, and you can never TRULY go home.  I think my views of traffic may reflect this.

Kullu zahma. Ana mabsoota, awy!