Two years down the road.

Born and raised in Chicago, I know that a pedestrian is the lowest life form when it comes to street traffic. Looking both ways and waiting after the light has turned is second nature. The sight of someone driving down the wrong side of the street (and right at me in some cases) still results in a stream of nasty language.

If you have been in Taiwan for any length of time, you know to expect and look for traffic coming at you from all directions. You also quickly learn the steps to the "traffic dance." From becoming a part of the Chinese Dragon while turning to browsing as you drive your scooter or walk through the middle of the market, if you don't do the dance you sit like a wall flower or risk getting run down.

As the driver's license test informs us, to "give way" is a rule of life and the road in Taiwan. Sometimes you give way for dogs; sometimes you give way for grandmas and grandpas; you always give way for Lexus SUVs and Mercedes; and don't even think of messing with Matsu when she is on the road.

In Taiwan you learn that "giving way" is a part of daily life. You cope and you change and you alter your expectations. After living in Taiwan for two years, I thought I would like to share the Taiwan experience filtered through a midwestern perspective.