Comments on: How Did The Backpacker Cross The Road? http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/ Online travel magazine dedicated to exploring travel in the 21st century. Offering travel news, compelling interviews, online travel tools, and more. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:15:16 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kristina http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-56216 Kristina Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:54:37 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-56216 Great tips on what to do! Here is a don't: DON'T CHANGE YOUR MIND. Once you commit to crossing, you must cross. The driver's anticipate your movement, they will pass in front of you and behind you immediately before or after you take your next step. Hesitating on the step will cause you to get hit! Trust me, this works everywhere. I saw a lady in downtown Paris hesitate (and she was actually local) and the next second she was rolling over the top of the hood of a car. That step she hesitated on would have steared her clear of danger. Great tips on what to do! Here is a don’t: DON’T CHANGE YOUR MIND. Once you commit to crossing, you must cross. The driver’s anticipate your movement, they will pass in front of you and behind you immediately before or after you take your next step. Hesitating on the step will cause you to get hit! Trust me, this works everywhere. I saw a lady in downtown Paris hesitate (and she was actually local) and the next second she was rolling over the top of the hood of a car. That step she hesitated on would have steared her clear of danger.

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]]> By: Cindi http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-55744 Cindi Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:23:55 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-55744 I used #5 in Hanoi! (The Boy Scout Technique) I too was initially daunted by the undless stream of motorbikes. After engaging in conversation with one of the students selling books on a corner, I told him I really wasn't interested in the books, but would gladly pay him the same if he could just get me across the street. He immediately grabbed my arm, led the way, and somehow made it look almost easy - much to my relief! I used #5 in Hanoi! (The Boy Scout Technique) I too was initially daunted by the undless stream of motorbikes. After engaging in conversation with one of the students selling books on a corner, I told him I really wasn’t interested in the books, but would gladly pay him the same if he could just get me across the street. He immediately grabbed my arm, led the way, and somehow made it look almost easy – much to my relief!

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]]> By: Charlie http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-55738 Charlie Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:10:52 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-55738 Take care when slapping or hitting anyone's car, some people get more than a little defensive when their 'baby' is touched by anybody. Hitting the side or hood of a car may voice your displeasure or may help you not get hit, but it could get you into an altercation you hadn't planned on. Take care when slapping or hitting anyone’s car, some people get more than a little defensive when their ‘baby’ is touched by anybody. Hitting the side or hood of a car may voice your displeasure or may help you not get hit, but it could get you into an altercation you hadn’t planned on.

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]]> By: Lynnsey http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-55731 Lynnsey Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:41:19 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-55731 Amanda's comment-(20 “lanes” of motorbikes and mopeds coming at me) but I soon learned that if I just walked out they would all magically go around me. Couldnt have said it better! However this approach does not work in other countries where they are in cars rather than on motorbikes. I also was almost annihilated by a taxi while trying to cross the street in China. Thanks for the tips! Amanda’s comment-(20 “lanes” of motorbikes and mopeds coming at me) but I soon learned that if I just walked out they would all magically go around me.

Couldnt have said it better! However this approach does not work in other countries where they are in cars rather than on motorbikes. I also was almost annihilated by a taxi while trying to cross the street in China.

Thanks for the tips!

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]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-55724 Elizabeth Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:01:54 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-55724 I keep reading about thefts that can occur in traffic (in some countries), so I would be hesitant to hold out my passport. I like that idea though. I wonder if my library card would fool anyone? ;) I keep reading about thefts that can occur in traffic (in some countries), so I would be hesitant to hold out my passport. I like that idea though. I wonder if my library card would fool anyone? ;)

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]]> By: pam http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-55721 pam Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:19:31 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-55721 What Amanda said about HCM city. We talked to some friends before we went to Vietnam in Feb who said this: Don't hesitate. Don't make eye contact. Just go. We were FREAKING out. I definitely did Follow the Leader until I was brave/stupid enough to do it on my own. What Amanda said about HCM city. We talked to some friends before we went to Vietnam in Feb who said this: Don’t hesitate. Don’t make eye contact. Just go. We were FREAKING out.

I definitely did Follow the Leader until I was brave/stupid enough to do it on my own.

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]]> By: Mike Pugh http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-55710 Mike Pugh Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:41:16 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-55710 Tip #7: Brush up on your Frogger skills before leaving home. Tip #7: Brush up on your Frogger skills before leaving home.

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]]> By: Amanda http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-55671 Amanda Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:28:03 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-55671 I remember discovering in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that it's all about confidence. I couldn't cross the roads at all on the first days (20 "lanes" of motorbikes and mopeds coming at me) but I soon learned that if I just walked out they would all magically go around me. I remember discovering in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that it’s all about confidence. I couldn’t cross the roads at all on the first days (20 “lanes” of motorbikes and mopeds coming at me) but I soon learned that if I just walked out they would all magically go around me.

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]]> By: Ian MacKenzie http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-55559 Ian MacKenzie Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:35:25 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-55559 I'm personally all about Tip #1 - following the leader. You wait for someone else to jump into traffic, making sure to leave enough space to dive out of the way if they take one for the team. Sometimes this can take a while if no one else is willing to be the leader.... I think I waited on the side of a Bangkok street for 35 minutes one afternoon... I’m personally all about Tip #1 – following the leader. You wait for someone else to jump into traffic, making sure to leave enough space to dive out of the way if they take one for the team. Sometimes this can take a while if no one else is willing to be the leader…. I think I waited on the side of a Bangkok street for 35 minutes one afternoon…

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]]> By: Chris http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-55533 Chris Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:08:08 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/02/27/how-did-the-backpacker-cross-the-road/#comment-55533 good list...just one thing... Tip #3 - Not exactly practical to dress up in a "business suit or some sort of military-ish get up". I realize it's extra advice, but for whatever reason reading this compelled me to reply. -Chris good list…just one thing…

Tip #3 – Not exactly practical to dress up in a “business suit or some sort of military-ish get up”.

I realize it’s extra advice, but for whatever reason reading this compelled me to reply.

-Chris

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