I had ended my last post with the statement that most people walk. Actually A lot of people walk and a lot of people take the bus. I do see a fair amount of cars – from what I have been told, the people have been able to import cars for a little of two years, so in addition to the Russian Ladas, you also see VWs, Toyotas, Audis, Mercedes and other foregn cars. There are even Chevy 4x4s produced under a joint venture with Lada
Traffic is not too heavy and driving is not scary - on a scale of 10, Italy/Sicily would be a 9.5 or higher. New York would be about a 8 and Uralsk would be a 6. Still it's different than what I am used to. To cross the street, you can use the crosswalk, but many just walk out into traffic. Some cars stop for you others make it...interesting. People will wait on the center dividing lines and then cross as traffic allows - it's much easier than it sounds.
The drivers are another thing - they don't necessarily use the lanes. They pass on the left, but if a car is in the left lane, they still pass on the left. On coming traffic doesn't panic, just takes it in stride. Cars pass and cut fron of each other to make turns and such, but the drivers don't honk and don't get upset at each other. It may sound bad, but I find traffic in New York more difficult.
Look at this picture - they look so much alike!!
I like this picture a lot - Zarina is trying out her potato crisps.
