Comments on: The Motorbike Diaries – Vol. 14

By: Coming Back To America | Ottsworld

Coming Back To America | Ottsworld — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:09:56 +0000

[...] started searching for where it was, and then realized where I was. I was in America; people don’t use their horns to say, “Hey, I’m going around you, just wanted to let you know I’m here.” Instead, the [...]

By: Learning to drive a motorbike in Vietnam | Ottsworld

Learning to drive a motorbike in Vietnam | Ottsworld — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:44:25 +0000

[...] Motorbike Diaries vol. 14 [...]

By: admin

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:21:31 +0000

@Iain – yes – can hear you coming from a ways away! Your little bike sounds very intimidating!

By: admin

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:20:18 +0000

@Anil – that’s very zen of you…I hope I can get that kind of ‘mind control’ eventually!!

By: Sonia

Sonia — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:37:02 +0000

I think this is the best encapsulation of the East vs West (or First vs Third World) cultural divide I’ve ever seen! It’s true, the incessant horn-tapping is totally anathema to our notions of civility in the States. Patience, grasshopper, I predict you’ll get your Zen on eventually.

By: hstryk

hstryk — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:33:50 +0000

Oh man, if/when I make it over there I know that’s going to drive me insane. I felt my blood boil several times in Hanoi getting beeped at. I would have a hard time not stopping the bike and jumping on the hood of the car. Haha. You did good!

By: Anil

Anil — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:25:14 +0000

The worst I’ve seen is in India. Honking doesn’t bother me too much, I mostly drown it out. Think of it like birds chirping, except you can chirp back (and often too!)

By: Iain

Iain — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:57:42 +0000

I know what you mean. It does get easier though, and using the horn yourself helps get into the swing of it. Not that I need the horn much now with Dao’s raucous exhaust note