Walking is hazardous to your health

Here's an annoying thing about Sweden...

I have been here almost a full month, and I still can't figure out which side of the sidewalk/road to walk on! Usually in America, it's pretty universal that we walk on the right side of the sidewalk because that's what side of the road we drive on. It makes sense. Here in Sweden they drive on the right side of the road, too. This would lead me to conclude that, naturally, one would also walk on the right side of the sidewalk. Apparently not.

I think it might have something to do with all the exchange students they have here.... that's one theory anyway. All those darn people who come from countries that drive on the left side of the road are throwing everyone off. And so when you mix hundreds of pedestrians and bikers from around the world on one campus.. it's like a zoo! Especially since you can't even tell when someone is yelling "On your left!" or "Watch out!" because nine times out of ten it's in a different language. It's frustrating to say the least.

Walking to class can be quite the daunting task. It can literally be hazardous to your health if you aren't careful. You have to always be on your watch, looking around to make sure you don't walk into someone or get run over by a biker. And early morning classes are the worst. I would venture a guess that collisions increase a good 50% during that half hour before the first classes begin at 8:15 am.

I can't even begin to imagine the confusion that will ensue two months from now when it's dark 20+ hours a day. I might have to invest in a reflective vest to lower my chances of being run down by a biker. Uff da!