If I tried this stunt in Singapore, I would probably be dead.
There is probably one traffic light there near the hotel, working one of course. All the rest are not-so-effective zebra crossing at junctions. To cross the road, you have to watch out for left. (Cars are driving in the opposite direction of Singapore.) Damn it! I don’t know how many times I was looking at the wrong direction when I cross the road. The cars would be whizzing pass me all the time.
The trick is to watch for small pocket of space betwen cars, especially slow moving cars, and move without any hesitation. Check near the midway for cars in the opposite direction. Stay put if the car is extremely near (already passsing you by), or move across quickly without giving a second thought if the car is still a distance away (1~3 metres, depemding on speed of course). Ignore the horning since they are friendly warning or cursing!
Actually Chinese are very careful drivers. Most of the time they watch out for pedestrains and will slow down for pedestrains crossing the road. Of course, it is not too good to take our own sweet time, unless we like horn symphony.
I survived crossing the road in China and found some great food around the hotel. Or else it would be hotel food all the way. It gives me shudders just to think about it!
Chen Kee.. To be continued….
