Of Streets and Automobiles

The streets in Morocco remind me somewhat of what I have seen in Mexico, but with less controlled intersections. Crossing the street is somewhat of an art form, but you learn quick if you don't want to get hit. Successfully getting from one side to the other here is a bit like a game of Frogger. Sometimes you can make it across in one bound, but most of the time this is not the case. What you have to do is judge the traffic and cross halfway. Here you stand in between traffic and wait for the next gap to open up in the traffic going the other direction so you can finish crossing. Standing in the middle of traffic may sound a little odd to people back home, but here its how you do it and cars expect you there so they make a concerted effort not to hit you most of the time.
I'm not sure whether Travis would enjoy driving here or not. On one hand everyone is trying to get from point A to point B as fast as possible, but there is an absence of lanes and I could see him constantly being stressed over damaging his car. I have yet to see a car wreck, though the closest I saw was one our taxi was almost in. There are lines painted, although faded, on the streets but they are more of guidlines or suggestions of safety. At intersections the vehicles all form a large gaggle at the intersection at the point where they just can't get hit by traffic in the roundabout. I have seen some traffic lights, but at most intersections they are either hidden or I fail to find them. I am not sure how entire streets decide to stop or go at times. In Fes the streets are very crowded and filled with various modes of transportation. You have the red F1 taxis, sedans of all shapes, sizes, and colors; the Hyndai Santa Fe or equivalent here and there, Vespa scooters, and these small motorcyles which are more glorified bicycles than anything. In Morocco the people really know how to stack a motorscooter. And you see all sorts of people riding them as well, kids and old men in suits and little beanies. That is the colorful streets of Fes. A short little entry today to give and insight into one aspect of everyday life here.

~Andrew