The signs with 110 on them are moving faster and faster. Tania's brother Adrian goes from 170 to 180 kilometers an hour and continues to chat cheerfully. He catches up with cars, but he never changes lanes. Continues to drive on the left lane, even if there is all the space on the right. If someone drives in the left lane, he slalomes for a while. Go to the right, past it and back. The driving style of 'the Mexican' is best described as unregulated. The main thing they worry about is the many holes in the road. And the many thresholds. And the police. Adrian thinks himself an excellent driver, and so is he. Feels like he's in full control of his car. And flaps his ears when I tell him the Dutch regulations and the related consequences. Dude, it's only recently been obligated to wear a belt. Their father doesn't recommend car insurance. A waste of money.

Wrinkle free

Traffic regulates itself; everything we learn in the Netherlands can be thrown overboard. Look in mirrors? Turn on flashing lights when you switch lanes? Give priority? For a pedestrian crossing? It's happening, but you can never be sure of that. At most, the traffic light is sacred. The basic rule is: the boldest one has half the world. If you don't go, I'll go. Without clear communication; that's how it works. Recently I saw on the side of the road an offer for a driving licence à 400 pesos (16 euros). Hilarious, of course, but it didn't surprise me. After all, a driving licence has recently become compulsory and that does not involve a hundred lessons in advance. If you walk down the sidewalk here and see cars parked, the person who is completely wrinkle-free is noticed. The rest has at least a scratch. A star in a rhombus is not exceptional. Some people don't even have a license plate. Recently I saw a bus driving with a loose exhaust that could break down any moment. Yeah, there were people in there.

Bicycle

But yes. Sometimes I have to go out, too. For example, I like to work outside the door. Sometimes I take an Über to the city, but more often I go to a Starbucks nearby. They have a terrace and do not provide service. You can just work all day. Sun on the ball, good WiFi and go.

That's where I go by bike, while this neighborhood is certainly not a bike-friendly environment. It's a mile or two really baby-sitting blown. What I have learned as a cyclist: self-confidence. There are. Make clear movements. But don't be brutal. Always make sure it's safe. Because even if you just ride on the side and there is a road to the right, you could just be ridden in front of your socks. Like they don't see you. Every meter is therefore a challenge. For the time being, this is going well; it is a matter of traffic. But the fine print is too vague for me too; it is simply dangerous and it is not unthinkable that a car driver is just playing with his phone. Even more dangerous: recently I decided to go to the supermarket by bike, when it was already dark. I don't have a light. This is already unwise in the Netherlands, here it is a suicide mission. Instead of ten minutes, it took me 20 minutes.

Indicator

Concrete example of a traffic situation? If a car comes up with a flashing light on, that doesn't mean anything. They just forget to turn it off. If he does indeed turn down by sorting before, it could just be that he turns down. But nothing is certain. Is he braking? The odds are growing. Only when the car actually stalls, you can be sure. Never go from anywhere, I'm just saying. And wait until it's a fact.
Traffic hangs from coincidences to each other. And that doesn't even work so bad. As long as you don't trust the other one, but you assure yourself as much as you can that it's safe. Then you must be able to move around here without any scraps. I can't take the car yet. With the bike, yes. Crazy, actually. So knock off.



Traffic in Mexico; law of the most brutal