The backdrop of this story comes from spending 5 years of my life in Big Rapids, MI attending Ferris State University. I learned an awful lot while there, but in my top 10 is the fact that it is illegal to jaywalk. A police officer gave me a warning once as a sophomore and explained to me the rules: when crossing the street you must (1) cross in the cross walk (2) cross within the white lines (3) cross when the light-up man is on "walk" and (4) if the hand starts flashing while you are crossing you may proceed, but if you haven't entered the crosswalk prior to the flashing hand you must wait for it to stop, then through the 2 minute light, and finally you may enter the road. 5 years of this pounded into my brain. 7 AM on a sprint to class I still observed the rules because you never knew when a police officer would jump out of the bushes and give you a ticket.
But this is Colombia now...ha! Let's talk about jaywalking here.
Jaywalking is just about the only manner in which one can cross the street. Forget finding the nearest light, forget waiting until the road is clear, and forget all pretense of Michigan pedestrian rules.
I was trying to cross the main street to get home the other day and I was being a good pedestrian. I didn't enter the street and was patiently waiting for the cars to clear. Patiently waiting for 5 minutes. Not joking. 5 minutes. Soon the patiently waiting turned to an impatient desire to be home, and so I did what any Colombian would do and just barged into the street. If you can make it half way across, perfect! Stand in the middle on the line, wait for traffic to clear, and then finish the trek across. Meanwhile taxis are streaming by, buses are at their usual stop and go, motorcycles are always nuts, and regular drivers just dodge everything. Well, I made it across the street, didn't get a ticket, and decided Michigan rules aren't that bad.
Friday night is another story. The main street close to me is PACKED with cars. I mean stop/go traffic getting to all the clubs/bars near by. The street basically becomes an obstacle course and I feel like I'm on WipeOut as I maneuver through everything. It's quite intimidating at first, but then you realize it's the only way to cross and everyone else is doing it. I typically cling to Stephen or Kevin as they trace the path of least resistance. I suppose they're more willing to take a hit for the team than I am!
So yeah, crossing the street is always interesting and watching Colombians cross the street is even more exciting. One day I'm certain I'll see someone get hit. They just don't seem to care...or maybe the truth is, their invincible!
But this is Colombia now...ha! Let's talk about jaywalking here.
Jaywalking is just about the only manner in which one can cross the street. Forget finding the nearest light, forget waiting until the road is clear, and forget all pretense of Michigan pedestrian rules.
I was trying to cross the main street to get home the other day and I was being a good pedestrian. I didn't enter the street and was patiently waiting for the cars to clear. Patiently waiting for 5 minutes. Not joking. 5 minutes. Soon the patiently waiting turned to an impatient desire to be home, and so I did what any Colombian would do and just barged into the street. If you can make it half way across, perfect! Stand in the middle on the line, wait for traffic to clear, and then finish the trek across. Meanwhile taxis are streaming by, buses are at their usual stop and go, motorcycles are always nuts, and regular drivers just dodge everything. Well, I made it across the street, didn't get a ticket, and decided Michigan rules aren't that bad.
Friday night is another story. The main street close to me is PACKED with cars. I mean stop/go traffic getting to all the clubs/bars near by. The street basically becomes an obstacle course and I feel like I'm on WipeOut as I maneuver through everything. It's quite intimidating at first, but then you realize it's the only way to cross and everyone else is doing it. I typically cling to Stephen or Kevin as they trace the path of least resistance. I suppose they're more willing to take a hit for the team than I am!
So yeah, crossing the street is always interesting and watching Colombians cross the street is even more exciting. One day I'm certain I'll see someone get hit. They just don't seem to care...or maybe the truth is, their invincible!
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