Arrogance

in order navigate the roads here you have to have a certain amount of arrogance. if you are walking or driving you have to act like you own the road; this is my road and i will walk were i like. you can not be timid or hesitate at all; otherwise you will surely get into an accident. if you are in a car you go where need to and at your own speed (whether that is fast or slow) if someone is in your way, you honk and go around them... this system would never work in the states, but it seems to work really well here. even though there are people, animals, holes and cars all using the same road, they all navigate around each other. i have yet to see anyone get hit; which is a miracle in and of itself. if you are walking- then you have to walk with confidence like you own the road- much like the students on the FSU campus. you just have to trust that the cars will see you and either stop or swerve around you- yes they may honk a lot but they always honk so dont take it personally.
that's another thing- honking. In the states if someone honks at you, you get offended and probably get some road rage... but here they honk all the time. a honk can mean "careful. I'm right behind you" or "hey, just wanted to let you know I'm about to pass you" or "watch your left side, I'm coming up and i don't want to splash you" or even"don't move out to the road unexpectedly because I'm coming up behind you" they honk at cars, people, animals or to the empty road if your coming up on a curve- you want to warn people coming from around the corner... it definitely makes for a loud experience.
i'm starting to learn the language and getting to know some of the people near my apt. everyone is so helpful and encouraging.
that is all.