Driving

Today is the first time I drive in Damascus. And what do you know about that? My experience is not yet complete as it wasn't very jammed. First of all I have to say that I am glad it was my dad's car because it is automatic. I need a less hostile environment to practice manual 5-speed. I thought New York was similar. It is not. This is 100 times worse. And yes, things have changed since I left. More cars, more pedestrians, and more construction… all of these pose a great danger to someone's life. And here are the hazards of driving here:
Roads: I have to admit that most of the road I drove on or been to yet are in good shape. That alone doesn't make it safe. White and yellow lane separators are almost erased. When they are not, no one obeys their rule. Driving is according to the path of least resistance. If there is a gap you take it; and if not, you try to take one anyway. The best way to follow a line is to aim the front car logo (for example Mercedes-Benz) along the line. Street with two lanes fits three actual cars driving next to each other, three lanes fits four cars, and so forth.
Taxi drivers: they know one rule: the best defense is to attack. The only thing they do is move forward. They don't know what's behind them, to their side, and sometimes in front of them. If you see a taxi driver whose head is beyond the steering wheel, he has myopia and is in need of corrective lenses. Those drive guided by instinct, and the only reason they are safe is either because the others are afraid of them, or because there is really a God.
Pedestrians: is the other major hazard on the road. There must be a law in the Syrian constitution that gives them the right to use the street as if they were a moving vehicle. The pavement is not usually used; people like to squeeze against cars while drivers attempt not to injure them or other cars. The narrower the road the more common this phenomenon is.
Pedestrians crossing streets is considered a stunt. Some attempts were made to prevent people from crossing at inappropriate sections were made. Examples include barb wired fences, additional traffic lights, and more police officers. Barriers and fences have not stopped the human flow through them; the people are used to sadism so minor -or major- injuries are pleasurable. Traffic lights have never been respected, unless there is a police officer near it (hopefully). Today I was the only one stopping at a red light (the intersection of Al-Mezzeh and Al-Umawiyeen Square); after a while I felt there is something wrong with me or that new rules allowing running a red light was issued. Needless to say I ran it after few minutes, and the police squad parking next to the light didn't even blink and eye not only to me but to all the others. In front of our home (Nazlet Al-Ghassani) there is a new traffic light to ease pedestrian crossing. It opens for three seconds (I counted them), which gives you enough time to blink and look right and left (even on a one way road you will never know what comes from the wrong side). Police officers are almost useless. Since the introduction of the biggest breakthrough of communication is Syria (mobile phones) everyone, including police officers, spend their time flirting with their phones and give no attention to what goes around.
Vans and buses: are hazards for both pedestrian and drivers, on the street or the pavement (and possibly at home). Bus drivers would prefer a pedestrian killed rather than being picked by a competing bus, go figure. They also act according to the attack law mentioned above. I forgot to mention the black smoke hazard, which is uglier than Mordor's, which contributes to the famous brownish black cloud overlooking Damascus.

I have not forgotten yet, and promise to update with photos of recent imported cars, some of which you will never, ever drive in USA.