OMG - YES!!! So funny, I noticed a lot of this when I've been in Europe too. Brought back memories! For instance, I could've used your help when I was in Albania because I never did figure out the key thing! And the narrow sidewalks were also a thing in both Albania and Lisbon. I remember a tram going by at one point in Lisbon especially where I had to plaster myself against the wall not to get smooshed.
The pedestrians not having the right of way seems to be true in Southeast Asia as well. Not quite as bad as Albania - or apparently, Portugal where you're stuck in the middle of the road! - but walkers are definitely at the bottom of the totem pole so I just run across the lanes in hopes I beat the next car. I worried a lot in Tirana (Albania) though about the older people who can't move that fast and where there's ALWAYS traffic!
And oh - the parking! I looked out the window of my apartment one time in Albania and saw there was literally no room for anyone to get out from what I could see. You hear honking all the time in Tirana from this because people are trying to get someone to come move their car!
Wow Tirana sounds worse than Portugal in some ways!!
Yes, please ask me if you have any future key issues anywhere, you know how much I would love to help!
Are you used to it yet? That pedestrians don’t usually have the right of way as the rest of the world? I don’t know why this one is so hard for me, but it really is.
I think it’s because California drilled it into me. I remember one time I was driving and a woman with a baby carriage was on the curb. She had not moved off the curb yet and I did not stop for her because I was going too fast (but still within the speed limit). And I was pulled over by a policeman for not stopping!!!
The total disregard for pedestrians was one of many reasons I left Tirana. I never had cars zipping around me while I was still IN THE ROAD though! I think you win with that in Portugal. 🙀
Omg I was reading and nodding throughout - everything you describe today, crossing the street, parking, collecting the dog poop - is exactly like Greece where I am now. And Switzerland, where I lived before, is exactly the opposite in all the above: cars freeze when you want to cross the street, there is no person who drown not pick up their dog’s poop, people generally respect rules and laws and make it a point to live by that. And you’re an outcast if you don’t.
I’m not surprised, and I do remember the similarities when I was in Greece in May.
I’m also not surprised to hear that about Switzerland because they seem very rule-based there. I wonder if Austria and Germany are the same. I suspect so. Now that I think of it, I don’t remember a lot of dog poop, if any in Germany, and I do remember the cars stopping.
I don’t know why but something about the Wild West feel of Greece, and Portugal is like a warm hug.
OMG - YES!!! So funny, I noticed a lot of this when I've been in Europe too. Brought back memories! For instance, I could've used your help when I was in Albania because I never did figure out the key thing! And the narrow sidewalks were also a thing in both Albania and Lisbon. I remember a tram going by at one point in Lisbon especially where I had to plaster myself against the wall not to get smooshed.
The pedestrians not having the right of way seems to be true in Southeast Asia as well. Not quite as bad as Albania - or apparently, Portugal where you're stuck in the middle of the road! - but walkers are definitely at the bottom of the totem pole so I just run across the lanes in hopes I beat the next car. I worried a lot in Tirana (Albania) though about the older people who can't move that fast and where there's ALWAYS traffic!
And oh - the parking! I looked out the window of my apartment one time in Albania and saw there was literally no room for anyone to get out from what I could see. You hear honking all the time in Tirana from this because people are trying to get someone to come move their car!
Wow Tirana sounds worse than Portugal in some ways!!
Yes, please ask me if you have any future key issues anywhere, you know how much I would love to help!
Are you used to it yet? That pedestrians don’t usually have the right of way as the rest of the world? I don’t know why this one is so hard for me, but it really is.
I think it’s because California drilled it into me. I remember one time I was driving and a woman with a baby carriage was on the curb. She had not moved off the curb yet and I did not stop for her because I was going too fast (but still within the speed limit). And I was pulled over by a policeman for not stopping!!!
The total disregard for pedestrians was one of many reasons I left Tirana. I never had cars zipping around me while I was still IN THE ROAD though! I think you win with that in Portugal. 🙀
🤣🤣🤣 now we’ve experienced 2 of the same (bad) issues in Portugal and Albania!
Hi Kimberly!
Omg I was reading and nodding throughout - everything you describe today, crossing the street, parking, collecting the dog poop - is exactly like Greece where I am now. And Switzerland, where I lived before, is exactly the opposite in all the above: cars freeze when you want to cross the street, there is no person who drown not pick up their dog’s poop, people generally respect rules and laws and make it a point to live by that. And you’re an outcast if you don’t.
Lots of similarities between Portugal and Greece!
I’m not surprised, and I do remember the similarities when I was in Greece in May.
I’m also not surprised to hear that about Switzerland because they seem very rule-based there. I wonder if Austria and Germany are the same. I suspect so. Now that I think of it, I don’t remember a lot of dog poop, if any in Germany, and I do remember the cars stopping.
I don’t know why but something about the Wild West feel of Greece, and Portugal is like a warm hug.
I’ve heard that Austria and Germany are quite similar to Switzerland. (I’ve never been to either, unfortunately.)
I understand what you mean about the warm hug!