Crossing the street

As with any large, developing city, the traffic is absolutely crazy. A narrow two lane road instantly swells from two to four or four to six or eight when the traffic picks up. Drivers all seem to be in a hurry and even take to the sidewalks when they think it will speed their destination. Mongolia does have a few stop lights, which seem to be optional, and crosswalks. However we learned pedestrians do not have the right-of-way. In fact any pedestrian in the street is fair game and might get a courtesy horn blast if the driver is in a good mood. This does not stop anyone from crossing the street even in the worst traffic. This is a badge of honor for the local Mongolians. All you need to do to show anyone and everyone you are a local is to brave the traffic and cross the street. Foreigners wait patiently and with trepidation at the cross walk while Mongolians step into traffic and cross the street anywhere and anytime much like a real life game of frogger. I even learned the pick pocketers will not target you if they think you are a local. The take home message is if you want to earn the respect of Mongolians and keep the pick pocketers at bay, all you need to do is cross the street.

Warren