Learning to Drive Chapin-Style
Posted on December 29, 2009 - Filed Under Guatemala | 2 Comments
When I first arrived in Guatemala, I was freaked out by the traffic. Eight years later, on the brink of buying a car, I tried hard to remember just what had scared me so badly about the traffic and the idea of driving. Nothing came to mind. It didn’t seem scary anymore.
Since I had to learn how to drive an automatic here (I drove automatics back in Canada), it took a bit to get the hang of things and I spent some time just driving around and getting used to shifting gears and the gazillion irritating speedbumps. I didn’t even realize that I was learning a whole new skill set . . . driving like a Guatemalan.
See, I didn’t realize until a few days ago what had scared me early on in my life here . . . it was the aggressiveness of the people here in driving. They’re insane. There are rules of the road, but they don’t actually apply. Speed limits are blatantly ignored, or taken as a suggestion for minimum speeds. Size dominates, so the bigger vehicle tends to have the right of way. Chicken buses think nothing of practically pushing you off the road and will shove their way into traffic without a care in the world.
Guatemalans don’t need defensive driving lessons. They have it bred right into them, I think. And, after 8 years of fighting for a seat on the bus, jostling my way through the market on a busy Saturday with a baby strapped to my chest and a massive market bag (ok, that wasn’t 8 years, but still), I’ve picked up a lot. And driving doesn’t scare me. I’ve found that I’m quite capable of keeping my place in the line of traffic, nosing my way into a line of unrelenting drivers and I’m proud to say that I have even survived rush hour in Esquintla (think LOTS of semis).
I can only imagine that now, if I were to drive in Vancouver, it would seem like a walk in the park in comparison!
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2 Responses to “Learning to Drive Chapin-Style”
Talk to Me, People!
After learning to drive in Cairo – which sounds very similar to what you describe, where larger vehicles will actually PUSH or SCRAPE right on by your car – the trouble with going back to a country where people actually do follow road rules… is remembering to follow the road rules!! Yes, you DO have to stop at stop signs and lights. That wide spot on the side of the road is called a ’sidewalk’ – you may NOT drive on it even if the curb is very low. One way means one way.. and in the direction indicated, not whatever direction you choose! It is insane, but I have to admit… there’s something to be said for the convenience of being able to do whatever the heck you want or can get away with!! >;-D
Prospero año nuevo!