Mean Streets of Saigon

Most of the day, the streets here are like a giant moving carpet of motorbikes. There are millions. The drivers are fast and erratic, and there are very few traffic signals. Everyone just seems to know how to make it all work. And it does. Unlike in Bangkok, where you sit in a deadlock for 20 minutes, only to be able to go for 5 before sitting for another 20, there are absolutely no traffic jams here. The traffic always moves, like a stream.

Crossing the street takes guts. The trick is to start walking at an even pace and don't stop. Any sudden movements or stops could be fatal. It's a leap of faith. But it's the only way.

You aren't even safe from the motorbikes on the sidewalk. These people ride all over the place- sidewalks, alleys, into buildings, everywhere. The whole system seems extremely chaotic and unstructured, but it's proof that sometimes the best system is none at all, and it's a cool feeling to know that no matter what, it takes exactly four minutes for me to get downtown.