Thursday, 27 October 2016

Cultural Shock...Pedestrians own the road

So I am going to start a cultural shock series about things that are done differently in Germany. The very first thing I noticed was about the roads...
So much respect is given to Pedestrians...Zebra crossings actually work! There are a lot of Zebra crossings and no matter the speed of the vehicle, they will always stop for you to cross once you stand by the Zebra crossing. Even big buses stop for pedestrians at the Zebra crossings. I am sure if there was a train and you attempted to cross it at a Zebra crossing it would still stop for you.

Nothing like this over here
In fact its taking me sometime to get used to this. In Accra, where I used to live, crossing the road required some level of mathematical and mental expertise. You have to measure the speed of the car, your running skills and pray that no crazy driver is not trying to overtake the driver you can see. Then you watch left, watch right and watch left again. Then you RUN. FAST.

My Mum is so scared of crossing roads that till this day, she pays taxi drivers to drive her to the other side of the road.

Even me, I am used to running when crossing the road and it took me a few crossings to stop doing that here. Like the last time we were all crossing the road and I started running so fast. It wasn't until I got to the middle of the road that I realized that everyone else was leisurely catwalking. I slowed down quickly and laughed at myself for behaving like I was still in Accra.




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5 comments:

  1. Gbogbo bigz girlz27 October 2016 at 06:04

    You are that African chic.
    I remember reading about your life in Portland USA.
    What happened? You left the United States?
    How is your hubby?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gbogbo bigz girlz27 October 2016 at 06:04

    You are that African chic.
    I remember reading about your life in Portland USA.
    What happened? You left the United States?
    How is your hubby?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. International Student27 October 2016 at 11:19

      Yes I am her...I left in US..it didn't work out with my ex and I

      Delete
  3. Anonymous28 October 2016 at 00:39

    Developed countries value human lives much more than anything. Women and children are greatly considered. That is why they will continue to advance unlike the African countries that don't value human lives much less that of women and children. I remember sometime back when I went to Scotland. If you needed to cross to the other side, there's a button you press and every vehicle stops for you to cross. They make life so easy for you in these countries and can't blame some Africans if they refuse to return. You just can't be stranded.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. International Student28 October 2016 at 08:08

      Women, children, disabled and animals are valued and protected

      Delete

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