Having read the excellent article by The Bear about some lesser-known international travel tips, I figured I’d add one of my own: how to deal with traffic abroad. Traffic conditions in different countries, especially the developing world, can seem like pure chaos at first, and it’s downright unsettling if it’s your first time riding outside the Western regions. It’s doable, however, and in fact, it can even improve your riding skills – as long as you stay zen and remain alert. Here’s how to navigate traffic abroad like a boss: Forget What You Know In most Western countries, if you’re a pedestrian crossing a road or if you came to an unmarked intersection as a rider, car drivers might blink their lights to tell you you can pass. A nice road courtesy – but it’s not necessarily an international one. In Ecuador, for example, an oncoming car blinking their lights means the exact opposite – it’s saying “stop, I’m going ahead”.