Earlier this morning I was almost run over. People who have experienced the way most drivers drive in Bogota -and in the developing world- know it is a risk we have to live with everyday. However, I consider myself a good pedestrian. I usually use the almost non-existent pedestrian crossings, or cross the road at corners, or -as a last resort- wait until the road is completely empty before crossing. Two reasons for this: Common sense and part of living in a society, and because it is a habit I'd like my daughters to have. I don't believe cars have priority over people and believe drivers should be responsible and respect pedestrians.
What happened today? Same as everyday, Emma and I walked to her school. On my way back I took the usual route. I know how bad the traffic is, hence I rather walk down secondary streets where there is less traffic and less stress. I got to the intersection of Calle 118 (In Bogota, "calles" run from east to west) with carrera 21 ("Carreras" run from north to south) and waited for the traffic to subside. At the time (8:30 am) there are enough cars to make one wait for about a minute before crossing is possible. When a chance came by I crossed carrera 21 (east to weast). There was a green car heading east on calle 118 but it didn't have a blinker on and also had a stop sign to obey. However, the car didn't indicate and missed the stop and almost hit me. It may have not been awfully close, and knowing local traffic likely an unremarkable incident, but what happened next was absurd:
Green Car Driver: (Crossed looks and gesticulates from inside the car)
Me: (Simulating blinking with my hand) Use the blinker!
GCD: (stops the car and lowers the passenger window) Son of a B^*^%, dic&%ad. What is your problem?
Me: Learn how to drive. I don't have to guess which way you are heading. Use your blinker.
GCD: (Insert profanity every second word) You learn! (and a lot more that I don't really recall)
That was when I decided it wasn't worth it and kept on walking west. The guy drove off and I assumed that was the end of it. About half the way through the block I was thinking about all the come backs I could have used; that he was mediocre, that the absurd reaction of getting upset, swearing and even acting violent when found in error is a bad aspect of our culture, that thanks to people like him we live in a hell of our making. But I was also glad I hadn't reacted by lowering myself to his level and had walked away from a worthless discussion. Or so I thought. What I didn't expect was to find him waiting for me at the next intersection. (He went around the block and waited for me). And it continued:
GCD: (Remember, profanity every third word) What's your problem? I wanna see you driving to see what an Ass you are...
Me: (Glad I had my thoughts prepared) (said what I mentioned above)
GCD: Loser. You don't even have a car. Surely don't even know how to drive...
Me: (LOL and LOL. To me that says a lot about the person) LOL
GCD: (More profanity, said something else and drove off eastward on calle 118)
Note: In Colombia "haves" believe they are better than "have-nots" "making it" implies having money and not being bound by the rules. In their minds not having a car is a sign of a loser.
I kept walking west, a bit upset, but laughing at the guy's reasoning. Essentially, because he has a car, he believes himself better that a person walking. It is sad, and reflects poorly on our way of thinking (and likely a western way of thinking), a way of thinking where your value as a person is tied to your possessions, not your behavior or its consequences. But what really upset me was to find him stalking me when I rrive to my building. And once he saw me watching him, he took off.
I guess the incident ended there, but I am not sure. And I feel concerned. I believe I acted right, but I am still concerned.
What would you have done in my position? Or,
in the green car driver's position?
What are your comments? opinions?
I'd like to hear from you.
Note: This is my version of the events, trying to be as objective as I can. If the driver shows up maybe he has a different version, but I honestly believed it happened as told.
