Stepping out in Saigon

During the preport, our Executive Dean (Tom) demonstrated the proper way to cross the street.  Walk purposefully and without hesitation into traffic, and it will flow around you.  Do not change speeds, and do not, under any circumstances, stop. 

This is, in fact, the only way to cross a street.

Traffic does not stop for crosswalks.  Traffic lights are rare and considered optional.  Remaining in the actual street is also optional, as far as we could see.  Motorbikes came up quite randomly on the sidewalk, as well as on streets that were putatively closed to traffic. 

Kerri and I headed into the city around three, which is probably the hottest part of the day.  Traffic was very light.  We had been warned by the port agent that everything was shut down for Tết.  No stores, or banks, or restaurants would be open.  Everyone was home (in the countryside) for the holidays.

It turned out there were plenty of people around.  Families were out strolling and posing for pictures.  Lots of shops and restaurants were closed, but there was plenty to see and do.

We spent most of our time on streets that were closed to traffic for a book fair and the flower market.  But as we explored a little further, and the evening cooled off, the traffic got crazy.  It reminded me of summer in resort areas in the States, where teens parade in their cars.  Thousands of young people on motorcycles, two, three or more to a single cycle, strutting their stuff. 

We got pretty good at the crossing routine.  At first we hitched ourselves to the locals, but then we branched out on our own.  The key is to just keep going.  Hesitate and you confuse the drivers, who are compensating for your speed.  It is like stunt driving in car commercials, all perfectly choreographed.  

And it looks a lot easier than it is.