One of the things I love most about Grahamstown is that virtually everything is within walking distance (I use “love” loosely because there are times when it pains me).
Now this is great when you are a humble student on a very tight budget and no money for petrol, but the fact of the matter is that although you can roam around Grahamstown without the need to use an engine, people have cars, and they use them.
This brings me to the war that is constantly raged between pedestrians and whoever gets in our way. Speaking as an active member of the pedestrian society it really brings me joy to shout at passing cars when they drive down the street to fast, or decide not to use indicators or, merely to vent when the music is too loud. This may put me into a category of pedestrian road rage, and it’s a problem. What makes it worse is that it’s not just me, it’s everybody.
It is the reaction that we get which makes it so enjoyable to anger the drivers in Grahamstown. It’s our own personal form of payback; one could call it a silent army, whose ranks are unbeatable. We cause our damage the only way we know how. It is spurred on by the hundreds of pedestrian crossings littered all over town (if they not official – we make them official). There is absolute delight that spreads over every pedestrians’ face when they slow their walking pace over these zebra crossings, just enough to irritate the fuel cap right off.
The reactions vary, some just rev their engines angrily but they all know pedestrians were here first. The best reaction you can come across, and this is my personal favorite, is the “Sneaky Pushing Reaction Method”. Allow me to place it into context; picture a helpless pedestrian, abiding by the law and crossing where it is safe to do so. Along comes and angry looking car, ready for the show down. The pedestrian will not take this lying down and, as per army requirements, slows down their pace. The execution of “Sneaky Pushing Reaction Method” is then put into play. The car, gently edges forward, the pedestrian becomes slower, the car edges further until both parties are stationary and caught in a stare down. It’s not pretty to witness.
The war that we fight day in and day out is probably a universal one, it gets more aggressive further into town where the ruthless troops have no fear whatsoever. We make a united stand against anyone who gets in our way, donkeys, cars, weather you name it. It is unfortunate though, that there are those that risk their lives in the name of pedestrians around the world, but this is Grahamstown, and one must always look left and right (even on a one-way), because you can never get too comfortable.
