"Maneja Creativa"

The drivers here apply a type of driving that I call “maneja creativa” or “creative driving” in English! It really is creative sometimes, two lanes become three and a half and passing becomes a game of chicken! The right of way in traffic circles is given to basically whoever has the guts to dive into the traffic nightmare. The “taxistas”, or taxi drivers, feel that absolutely no traffic laws apply to them, and when there are no consequences for disobeying people do whatever they want. Crossing the street then, becomes a game of Russian roulette. Dr. Boe phrases it as an extreme sport. Either way the idea is the same, dealing with drivers who go where they want at whatever speed they want can be quite intimidating to a pedestrian! Crossing traffic circles is the worst. When the drivers have to speed through to make it, it is even worse for someone on foot. Sometimes I feel like there is a point system for drivers. 5 points for hitting the student because they can run faster, 8 points for the guy in the suit, and 10 points for the elderly indigenous woman because she has been perfecting the traffic scuttle her whole life!

It seems as if riding in a cab is an extreme sport too. The way they swerve around cars, buses, you name it at lightning speed throwing you to the left and the right inside the car! You have to brace yourself with an elbow against the door to remain fairly upright. I think it’s kind of like when a parent teaches their teenager how to drive. The parent is in the passenger seat grasping the door handle with a white knuckled fist, clenching their teeth, and gluing their eyes shut as they stomp on the imaginary brake on the floor. They can’t take seeing the all too close calls. That’s kind of how I feel when I ride in a cab. I don’t really want to see just how close it was. It’s impressive actually for a manual transmission little car like a Kia Rio to perform race track maneuvers, especially at the speed they are going! Not to mention the acceleration like a dragster. I didn’t know those little cars could do that! Okay, so I am exaggerating a bit, but I think it paints the picture clearly. Drivers don’t really try to hit pedestrians, at least I don’t think so… but it’s still a sport. On your mark, get set, cross!!!!!!!!!