The walk back to work from the bazaar takes me past Kulob’s biggest intersection, the same one that separates home from work (see previous post here). I dread crossing it multiple times a day. On December 12, passing by it and not through it, I heard the screech of a car coming to a quick stop. I noticed somebody limping behind the car, out of my line of sight. The car driver and passenger got out of the car to investigate, and a somewhat heated conversation ensued. It appeared as though a small boy – of no more than 6 or 7 years old – had been walking across the street with an older man (presumably his grandfather) when he was hit. The boy seemed uninjured, reducing tensions.

The number of car-related accidents I’ve witness in Tajikistan (and at this intersection in particular) is striking. I can’t even remember seeing one back home (thank God). Off the top of my head, I can’t count over 5 here in Tajikistan.

Later that evening, following a Saturday spent at work, I began walking home with Gulmorod (I had been invited for dinner).  With rain falling on a darkened Somoni Street, we witnessed yet another car accident. What caught my attention this time – apart from the screech of the braking car – was the loud thud of the car hitting a pedestrian. I looked in the direction of the accident just as it happened. While crossing Somoni Street – at a pedestrian cross walk – the pedestrian was hit hard on the left side of his body. He fell, but surprisingly managed to get up quickly and walk to the sidewalk with no obvious injury. Gulmorod and I stopped to see if anyone needed help. By that time, the car had pulled over and the driver was about to discuss the matter with his near-victim.

Gulmorod and I walked to his house, and I made sure to keep extra distance between myself and every passing car from that point on.