HONK AND SPEED UP!

On my 3rd day in China, Ben asked if I would like to drive his car. I was surprised. He has only been driving his car about one month, although he has driven a motorcycle for a couple of years. As Ben has told me, driving in America is relaxing, and I agree. That is why we have people killed from falling asleep while driving. Believe me that is not a problem in China. In China cars are not on the road alone. They are outnumbered by handpulled carts, motor carts, bicycles, busses, taxis, animals and pedestrians, including children as young as 2 years old playing by the side of the road or crossing the road. The roads are also in terrible shape, with holes that would cause great damage and maybe even kill you if you hit them going fast. At least in this province I have seen no warning signs of danger ahead. The main thing a driver does here is honk to warn people that a car is coming. From my observations people don't act like they even hear, but at least they don't move any further out in the road and when you honk they know you are coming.

So I agreed to try the Chinese driving. We were on a mountainous dirt road, with many switchbacks and very little traffic, I think Laban was a little offended that Ben asked me first. But as Ben says I am from California. I did fine and managed to change gears and go around major bumps and holes. I felt like a real Chinese driver because I also learned how to honk, in fact I got really good at my warning honks, so Ben let me continue driving when we got to a paved busier road through little country villages. It was a blast. But finally Ben took back the wheel. He said I was going to get us killed. People in China know that when someone honks they are coming fast. When I honked I slowed down to make sure I missed everyone. He said that would confuse other drivers, pedestrians, and animals. You have to honk and speed up. I haven't driven since, but I will try again when we leave this busy city behind.