Second installment of photos I'd like to take

The traffic here is nothing short of a crazy game to be completely honest. In the driver's manual it explains that the driver is supposed to "slow down" when a pedestrian is crossing the road. It doesn't say anything about stopping and letting the pedestrian actually cross. And when the little walking man is green it means that the oncoming traffic is supposed to stop but the turning lanes are still free to turn. At major intersections there is a sea of people on foot, bikes, and motorcycles that congregate at the line waiting to cross. When the little walking man turns green it is like an army crossing the road and the other side has another army crossing. So between looking out for the cars coming into the sea of people from the turning lanes you have to look out for the people coming from the other direction. This is when the buffer system comes in handy.

The buffer system is a science. When congregating to cross the road you scout out the biggest person or motorcycle and situate yourself carefully between that person and another person. When the walking man becomes green you just walk beside that person. So if the cars actually hit anyone it won't be you but your buffer! It's not the most altruistic science but my toes are still attached to my feet. I've actually not yet seen any traffic accidents but I've heard. The chicken game has had a few close calls.

The rule seem to be the buses have every right away. They can turn and go anywhere whenever really. Next are the cars. Pedestrians are supposed to get out of the way of the cars in EVERY situation even when the cars are driving on the sidewalks, which happens quite often.They can park anywhere including on the sidewalk. The pedestrians have the next right of way even though they are supposed to look out for the bikes. The bikes are the lowest on the totem pole it seems. They have to get out of the way of everyone. There are bike lanes but those are also for anyone that decides to walk or drive through them. I've seen bikes carrying everything from mirrors/glass to huge computers on their back racks.

Sorry if this seems cynical. We have had a few close calls but for the most part we grab each other's hand and go for it having no problem at all. Fortunately for us women hold hands with each other all the time!

So there are two photos that I'd like to take but can't quite capture the full effect. The first is the two armies of people that cross at the same time. I can't even imagine if all of the people had guns like they did in some of the wars that were fought that style. But sometimes I get some of that feeling. It is so intimidating.

The second photos would be of the traffic ladies. They are the funniest thing to me in all of Chengdu I think. They are they ones that are suppose to direct traffic!! HEHE.The all wear their hair in a bun that fits nicely under their cap that is supposed to shade them from the sun because they stand for hours in the middle of the streets. They have on bright orange vests and their whistles are an extension of their mouths. But my favorite part of the costume is the flag. The flag is also bright orange to match the vest and fits nicely in their right hands. I think this would be the most torturous job in the world next to digging up a hole and then filling it back in with the same dirt. They whistle as loudly as they can and they wave their flags with so much confidence and passion when the lights turn and yet almost no one pays any attention to them at all. The most feisty ones can get some cooperation. One made a cyclist back his tire up because it was over the "line". That was when I wanted to take the picture. In the chaos of the buses trying to run over people and cars she wanted him to back up 3 inches so that he would be behind the line. I guess that gave her at least some sort of purpose and control.

On a bad day just think... I could be one of those ladies directing traffic in Chengdu. Besides no one paying any attention to your performance they mock you by trying to run you over!