I am from Sunset Park, Brooklyn, which was mainly a Puerto Rican and Dominican neigborhood when grew up there in the 1970s. Custom cars were just that, custom! With painted hoods akin to the back panels of Levis Jeans jackets with rock star or salsa or gang pictures. I now live in East Java, Indonesia, and have traveled in the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam to name a few for the past 9 years as an expat.

The Philippines is certainly up there on the crowded spectacle meter of buses and other transport vehicles. I remember seeing three people standing on a bus bumper holding onto the roof as we drove behind over a bridge. The paint jobs, detailing, added hardware (bumpers!) was fun to look at. But one pothole, a loose grip and you are not showing up to work that day.

I am always amused by what seem like cross-cultural similarities to the colorful, blasting stereo vehicles in each location. I guess the colors are inspired by the tropical climates' flora, and other cultural influences.

Indonesia has its becaks or moto-becaks (bicycle or moto-powered rickshaws), but it is more conservative here with regards to transport both outside and in them, but people pile in.

Thailand has the tuk-tuk and motocabs.

I am stirred when seeing a family of 4 or 5 on a 125cc scooter here in Java. No helmets, kids sleeping on the back with their school knapsacks, and a kid standing in front, no eye protection or helmet, squinting at the road.

I have two older children back in the US, and a newborn girl here. I always have to adjust to car seats, and transportation in general when I return for a visit, and NYC traffic now looks so tame to me.