What’s scarier than a stampede of wild horses running towards you?

If you guessed trying to cross the street in Southeast (SE) Asia, you would be correct!

Welcome to the land where crosswalks don’t exist, street-lights and stop signs (if there are any) are just a suggestion, and painted lines deleanating lanes are simply interesting road art.

If you are determined to stick to your western world-view that ‘as a pedestrian you have the right of way’, be prepared to become a western-style pancake. That rule means nothing on the mean (ok, they really aren’t mean, it just sounds cool) streets of SE Asia.

Here are a few suggestions on how to survive the traffic-choked streets:

Your first option is to just never cross the street, however, this will severely limit your experience and I do not reccommend this option at all.

Another option is to avoid walking and simply become a part of the problem by only taking cabs wherever you go. However, if you are on a budget or even remotely adventurous, this option will not work for you either.

The third option (and THE ONE I THINK YOU SHOULD PICK… no pressure) is to follow these simple steps:

Decide that you are going to cross the street.
Take a deep breath.
Step into traffic, look ahead, and begin walking at a steady pace in a STRAIGHT LINE.
Even if it seems like you are about to be hit, DO NOT SLOW DOWN OR SPEED UP.
Continue walking until you reach the other side.
Step up onto the curb.
Start breathing again.

Why will this work you ask?

So used to dodging other cars, scooters, tuk-tuks, and elephants (yes, elephants), drivers in Southeast Asia tend to be extremely alert and defensive. As long as you stay at a steady pace and walk in a straight line, dodging you is a breeze.

Good luck!

How to cross the street in Southeast Asia

Let yourself get lost

Venice is made up of 117 small islands, 150 canals and 409 bridges, none of which run in any sort of traditional grid pattern. Uneven alleys lead to bridges that lead to nowhere, and what is called a via (street) in the rest of Italy could be labeled calle, fondamenta, ruga, salizzada, ramo, corte, riva, sotoportego — you get the picture. Unless you want to keep your nose firmly planted in a map rather than enjoying the sights, fight every instinct, put your map away, and just wander.

Have an umbrella and rubber boots on hand

During the winter (November to April) there is frequent rain and flooding during high tide (called Acque Alte) in the city. Sirens will announce the flooding giving you time to race back to your hotel and throw on your boots so that you can continue your touring. If you think you can hack having wet feet consider this: the canals are extremely polluted and the water that floods the streets is usually overflow from them or the sewer drains.

Get off the tourist trail

Everyone who arrives in Venice heads straight to Piazza San Marco. A zig-zag path, marked by signs and passing by souvenir shops, takes about thirty minutes to navigate and will bring you "straight" to the famous square.

Though a must see, there are so many other areas of the city that, even in the busiest time of year, will be mostly deserted.

Venice contains over 200 churches full of famous works of art, the majority of which are located in the outlying areas like Dorsoduro and Castello.

Staying away from the cramped, people filled streets will also take you away from another huge problem in the city — pickpockets.

Be prepared for bedbugs

No one likes to talk about it, but in the last few years, with more people travelling, the incidence of these microscopic bugs that feed off human blood has risen. Though they don’t transmit diseases, they are annoying and can cause rashes and allergic reactions. They love living in warm, damp environments with porous wood, which makes Venice the perfect location. If you find yourself waking up with little red bumps on your skin, the best way to get rid of them is to wash all of your clothing and your linens in hot water and find a new place to stay.

Avoid overpriced tours

I know that every tourist’s dream is riding a gondola through the canals with your hunny while a man in a striped shirt sings to you, but the cost of these rides will quickly shatter those dreams, especially if you are on a budget. A 45 minute ride can cost over $100 for 2 people-even more if you have a larger group. Taking a water taxi through the canals, can give you the view from the water that you are looking for (though admittedly is a lot less romantic) and save you a bundle.

Avoid the high season

Lastly, for a more authentic experience with fewer tourists to contend with, try to avoid visiting between July and August, Christmas and New Years, and during Easter.

How To Cross The Street In Southeast Asia

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