Is the left right?

I think one of the most confusing things about living here is not that they drive on the wrong side of the road, but that they walk on the the wrong side as well. There's construction going on at the University I attend, and a part of the side walk has been significantly narrowed due to this. So I'm walking towards my class, like any good American, keeping to myself on the RIGHT side of the sidewalk, and I run into this huge stream of people walking directly towards me, while the left side is completely empty. 

I don't know what to do. Because, unlike driving, there are no rules against walking on the right hand side, I am inclined to keep doing it, to force people out of MY way instead of getting out of theirs. At the same time, though, I'm not sure I can be bothered fighting off the hordes of students rushing to get to their next class, or the ones that are just lazing around, texting their friends and therefore not looking where they're going. 

Maybe it's all part of the Kiwi Experience. Learning to be versatile. Learning to walk on the left, have people pass you on the right, and then doing it the other way around when you get home. I think sometimes that being a citizen of the world is more about that kind of thing, and not just speaking a language and being aware of global attitudes. Embracing the culture isn't just learning Poi and eating fish 'n chips in your flip-flops (excuse me, jandals). It's walking on the wrong side of the side walk, and smiling while you do it.