Ignorant pedestrians

If you ever find yourself far from the hustle and bustle of big cities or wandering through smaller towns, you’ll get to see some seriously charming scenes. It’s pretty fascinating to watch how laid back Tunisians are as they stroll along the streets. But here’s the deal; there’s a reason for that carefree vibe: the pedestrian friendly infrastructure isn’t exactly top notch. Sidewalks, if they even exist, are often taken over by parked cars, café tables, or shop displays, which makes walking around a bit of an obstacle course. Now, let’s compare. In Europe, we’ve kind of adapted to this sort of thing. We tend to walk in single file, like a line of ducklings following their mama, keeping out of the way of others while staying safe. But in Tunisia, it’s a whole different story. People don’t seem to worry  about these hazards. Is it because they’re not aware of the risks? Or maybe they just don’t care?

Surprisingly, they walk on the roads because, in Tunisia, pedestrians truly have the right of way. Respecting pedestrians is a deeply ingrained cultural value.