So, apparently, driving is very different in Delhi, India than in the rest of the world of road rules. Allow me to share with you…
We have been in Delhi for almost two weeks now, and the sights and sounds and heart-stopping close encounters still amaze me every time I get into a rickshaw or any other moving device.
We have been counting the modes of transport on the Delhi roads, and I believe we are up to 11: automobile, bicycle, rickshaw, motorcycle, auto-rickshaw (moto), foot, push cart, horse, horse-drawn carriage, cow and tractor. (mind you, the automobile category includes everything from the miniature Smart car to the incredibly eco-friendly buses that take your breath away).
Our main area of expertise thus far is with the rickshaw. They are not exactly time or sweat savers, but are always an exciting experience. You never know if this particular rickshaw ride could be your last.
Don’t be fooled though, the rickshaw is not the only mode of transportation in which you feel you are going to lose your life.
Just last night, myself and Mark decided to be good squadmates and take our dear friend Caroline to the airport via taxi (she will be returning shortly, her brother is tying the knot this weekend). And on the way home from the airport, I literally don’t have words to describe to you the antics our taxi driver engaged us in.
I will just give you a few of the highlights, (and lucky for you, you know we made it out alive as I am writing this email relatively unharmed).
It began when our driver realized that half of the Delhi streets were flooded due to the mere two hours of rain we had just had. At the knowledge of this flooding, Mr. Driver Man decided he wanted to get creative. Or maybe put on his Jason Bourne hat for the night. Or maybe he was a getaway car driver at one point in life. We’re not really sure what his inspiration was, but whatever it was, it was intense.
We drove up to 120 kph at many points in the ride, weaving in and out of rush hour traffic on 4 lane highways (which means in Delhi that you can really squeeze in 6 lanes). We drove through numerous puddles, let me correct myself, obese pools, of water in our little four door sedan. We got diverted at one point, and decided the best route would be to drive the WRONG WAY on the extremely overcrowded 4 lane turned 6 lane highway for about 15 mintues. We stalled out in the middle of traffic twice because of our puddle antics. We were in a few very suspicious parts of town at different points. And we about took out roughly 36 different people, cars, motorbikes, and the like during our road rage.
It was pure bliss. Sign me up with Mr. Drive Man every day, please! (I am being incredibly sarcastic here). I think I had a pure white face and the look of death on several occassions when Mark glanced back to see if I was still breathing.
Nonetheless, we are still alive, still riding rickshaws, still dodging cows, still living the Delhi life. And still depending on the One True God among this land of hundreds to keep us alive and well.
More to come later on the life, antics, and near-death experiences of this World Racer.
