Chapter 7 Part 2

Ick...nasty crash

Traffic in Korat

Any who…in order to go many places that took longer than 10 minutes to get to, it was best (and safest) to take the bus.  Buses were very common along the main roads bound for all sorts of destinations throughout the whole country as well as the local town buses taking you to the larger city, Nakhon Ratchasima, aka Korat.  It was roughly 80 cents to $1 per person to get to Korat.  Along the way, passengers were picked up and smushed into the bus to where some were hanging out the door (yes with the door open and yes driving down the highway…) and instead of paying when you got on, you waited til it was full and the bus assistant would fight his way through collecting money.  Craziness.  On the time we’d take the motorbike on the busy streets, our hearts were pounding with every passing vehicle.  Thai people aren’t afraid to die—they think they go to a better place after death.  With that belief, they are always trying to die.  They look for opportunities to kill themselves—driving poses the best chance for that.  You can understand why our hearts raced.  

Can you tell we are driving in two lanes?--Bangkok Thailand

Korea was much better than Thailand.  They still drive like crazy and are oblivious to what’s going on around them though.  Lots of horn blowing and weaving in and out of traffic.  What gets me is—once again the traffic light situation.  Red lights are noticed—however, you will see many people inch through and go.  Or as the buses tend to do, honk their way and glide right on their way.  Here’s the kicker:  it is illegal to turn left on a green light.  You must have a green arrow—this is the only thing they follow—weird isn’t it?  

After a while, things don’t really surprise you anymore—you grow used to it and come to expect it.