27 November 2006.

You can say what you like about Jamaican drivers, and they are AWFUL, but they will stop for anything; accident at the side of the road, for a chat with someone they know and just happen to be overtaking (or indeed undertaking), two goats humping at the roadside and the slightest possibility that a pedestrian will step out. The pedestrian really is king, compared to home where you still need to keep your wits about you walking in a pedestrianised city center. In Jamaica you just saunter out, hold up your hand if you want to be a little more conspicuous, though I find being a white man makes me conspicuous enough usually. Car will immediately stop with furiously flapping arms and hazard lights warning would be undertakers and overtakers that there is a person on the road.

Crossing the road has become my favourite thing about Jamaica. Its a powerful feeling just stepping onto a busy road and feeling quite safe. I know I’m going to get knoced down as soon as I return home.