Lalu Lintas (Traffic)

I was warned about the traffic in Jakarta.  It's messy, unorganized, slow, and can be a little scary.  Seeing as I am prone to motion sickness and can't read or look anywhere but straight ahead in the car, I was dreading this particular aspect of my new life.  However, I was unaware how much of a blessing it would actually turn out to be!
Here's a look at the lalu lintas in Jakarta...

Here we are travelling down a small street.  As you can see, motorbikes outnumber cars because they can weave between the vehicles.  We drive on the left side of the street.  Making right turns anywhere is pretty complicated (if possible) and often requires the help of a "traffic cop".  

Macet (mah-chet) - traffic jam

Parking lot at the immigration department

Motorbike parking

They take a lot of liberties

Leah and Tina walking down the non-existent sidewalk.  We don't do too much walking.

I'm still working on figuring out the driving "language."  Drivers use their lights and horns to communicate much more than we do.  A tap on the horn or a flick of the lights may mean: I'm not stopping for you; I'm coming around the corner; don't merge because I'm passing you; hurry up!; what did you do that for?; COMING THROUGH!; and much more.  

I also learn so much about the language and culture by driving around the city.  I practice reading signs, try to figure out where I am and how to get where I'm going, practice speaking Bahasa with my driver, and there is no end to the incredibly interesting things I see every day in Jakarta.

I haven't been in or seen any accidents yet, though we do come close.  The good thing is we are normally moving so slowly that any incidents would be fairly minor.  We do quite often here taps on the car from motorbikes' mirrors or handlebars hitting the car.  A friend was riding in a taxi and the driver hit a parked motorbike, then turned around and started yelling at her!  If there is an accident, I believe a few choice words are uttered, then you go along your merry way!  

I am learning what landmarks to look for so I know when to start waking up or packing up my things, but I would have no idea how to get anywhere on my own.  You can't make a right turn onto main roads, so we are forever doing u-turns, which completely mixes me up.  I just recently learned that one of the malls we often visit is just around the corner from the church building!  Looking at a map helps me more than just driving the route.  

"So how is this traffic a blessing?" you ask?  Well, if you know me at all, you know I'm an introvert.  I recharge my battery by being alone rather than being with people.  A day of social activity is far more exhausting to me than a day of physical activity.  Part of my new role is being around people    all    the    time, and in many different spheres - youth, parents, peers, meetings, one-on-ones, Bible studies, parties, services, classes.  I don't think I would be able to do all of that if it weren't for the down time in the car between events.  This time allows me to think, listen to books/music/sermons, pray, sleep, and recharge!  So far, I've never caught myself thinking, "Oh man!  I wish I didn't have to spend so much time in the car today!"  More often, I look forward to the time in the car and a chance to prepare for the next step of the day.