If you have ever traveled internationally, you know there are certain aspects of life you will observe time and time again. You’ll notice the way Europeans dress differently than Americans even though they all tend to wear pants and tops of similar brands. You’ll certainly notice how Hindu and Buddhist populated countries dress more conservatively and almost always cover their shoulders and knees. You’ll probably eat out while abroad and you’ll admire the way Vietnamese people can sit on furniture made for preschoolers and still look comfortable or how Indians eat with their right hands only. You’ll also walk around abroad and you’ll notice how easy it is to shop and walk in countries with pedestrian zones. You’ll wish America (or your home country) adopted a few more car-free areas in your city too. You’ll also notice how hard it is to cross the street safely in some countries, especially if the traffic moves in the opposite direction than what you’re used to.
To say crossing the street in Kathmandu, Nepal is difficult, is an understatement. First off, there are no traffic lights or at least none that I have observed in the city center so you won’t see any flashing walk symbols. The main streets are very wide too and there are certainly no lines painted on them. If there are crosswalks painted, it’s almost irrelevant because of the lack of traffic lights. It’s almost impossible to interpret which lane has the right away, when cars will be turning into the intersection, and at what point will the wall of traffic lurch forward.
