Traffic Observations

Riders/drivers beep constantly!  I mean, all the time!  Incessantly!  It seems to be mostly to say, "I'm here!," particularly when either passing or being passed.  But a rider/driver can be on a deserted piece of road, and still be beeping--I guess to say, "Hi!  Look at me!  I'm on the road!" 

Techniques we use as pedestrians to cross heavily trafficked streets and intersections. 

• Always look both ways, even (particularly!) on one-way streets.  (The first day, John Moeschler got creamed by a little old lady on a bicycle, pedaling the wrong way.) 
• Face and look at the oncoming traffic--in a Zen-like way, it will flow around you like water by a stone.  Walk slowly and maintain a predictable vector so the traffic can anticipate and maneuver around you. 
• Find the rare intersection where riders/drivers heed red-green lights/walk-don't walk signs. 
• Take cover behind a turning bus or other large vehicle. 
• Use an also-crossing pedestrian as a shield.  Favorites are a food vendor and your own companion. 

I saw many more luxury cars--BMWs, Lexuses, Mercedes--this year than last.  Their drivers are in the thick of the insane traffic like any other vehicle, and the drivers are as impassive--almost serene--as any other driver.  Even were I to choose to drive my 100+ USD ride in this traffic, I don't think I could be so calm about it—I'd be freaking out about scratches, crashes, dings, etc. 

SUVs are in Hanoi--I saw more this year than last, definitely--new Lexuses, Blazers, Range Rovers, Toyotas.  Given the traffic and folks' driving sensibilities, it's going to get hairy, I predict.