Delhi
We were directed to a government taxi counter for booking of radio taxis, after payment we received a ticket stating our taxi would be at bay #20, at 11pm it was bustling outside nippy with smoggish air, at bay 11 a boyish looking guy approached us asking what number i said 20, at bay 11 he said yes that's me in a convincing tone and grabbed the invoice, I told him no and made my way to 20 which incidentally was taken by someone else, that's normal, the taxi that we did take was what I recall in the early nineties called "half loaf" but this was a quarter, it was a tiny bus shaped vehicle smaller than your average economical car, so small the drivers head touched the roof and the poor fellow got a hunch from that...
Enroute he decided to make a quick stop maybe to place a bet or something, was in a taxi parkade though he just halted in the middle of the road; after about 5minutes he was back sullen shame maybe he lost...
I know some avid sportsmen back home, health fanatics, eat sleep and drink exercise, but in India, this is a whole new breed, maybe influenced by the commonwealth games that was held here in 2010(there are still buses with the stickers and signboards for directions, not to mention a dedicated tv channel broadcasting reruns) at 11pm the highway was like a chiller night tourdefrance triathlon, walkers, cyclists, rickshaws, autorickshaws, trucks, buses, taxis, motorbikes and a sprinkling of ultra luxurious cars $100000+; you will also find elephants on the road, yes an elephant walking on the highway, there is total disregard for rules of the road, be prepared maybe earplugs hooting although prohibited by law is encouraged by everyone there are signs "hoot please" :) supposedly one of the most dangerous roads on the planet(source topgear india edition late 2011 - jeremy got into some trouble over his toilet seat comments) admittedly I was afraid very afraid, while in the car at about 100km/hr there was a tuktuk coming in our lane toward us(opposite direction), I felt as though I was on fear factor India there is no slow and fast lane, there are no lanes, sure they marked but with the dynamic mix of sizes of users a 3 lane road easily makes way for 6 or 7, Apart from hooting though all is understood by their brethren(not many female drivers) its as though its okay; there's no road rage no shouting you hoot you make a small nudge you hoot some more and you carry on...
People here make do with what they have, you will find a family of 4 on a little scooter, no helmets, the female passengers always sitting ladylike because of their dresses and sarees, gracefully as though they've been cemented to their seats, wind in their hair, not so open road...not the slightest worry of falling off...
Hotels in India seem to have strict security checks much like I've seen in gypt, a trolley with a floor mirror checks the undercarriage the boot is open and bonnet before entry, airport stlye bag scanners check your luggage, handbags, coats, and after passing a metal detector a pat down search is in order...
Everyone in India are helpful and happy, they did ask us if we Indian thou hmmm
After just a few hours here I can say I am surprised intrigued and humbled by this colourful and charming piece of earth...
We were directed to a government taxi counter for booking of radio taxis, after payment we received a ticket stating our taxi would be at bay #20, at 11pm it was bustling outside nippy with smoggish air, at bay 11 a boyish looking guy approached us asking what number i said 20, at bay 11 he said yes that's me in a convincing tone and grabbed the invoice, I told him no and made my way to 20 which incidentally was taken by someone else, that's normal, the taxi that we did take was what I recall in the early nineties called "half loaf" but this was a quarter, it was a tiny bus shaped vehicle smaller than your average economical car, so small the drivers head touched the roof and the poor fellow got a hunch from that...
Enroute he decided to make a quick stop maybe to place a bet or something, was in a taxi parkade though he just halted in the middle of the road; after about 5minutes he was back sullen shame maybe he lost...
I know some avid sportsmen back home, health fanatics, eat sleep and drink exercise, but in India, this is a whole new breed, maybe influenced by the commonwealth games that was held here in 2010(there are still buses with the stickers and signboards for directions, not to mention a dedicated tv channel broadcasting reruns) at 11pm the highway was like a chiller night tourdefrance triathlon, walkers, cyclists, rickshaws, autorickshaws, trucks, buses, taxis, motorbikes and a sprinkling of ultra luxurious cars $100000+; you will also find elephants on the road, yes an elephant walking on the highway, there is total disregard for rules of the road, be prepared maybe earplugs hooting although prohibited by law is encouraged by everyone there are signs "hoot please" :) supposedly one of the most dangerous roads on the planet(source topgear india edition late 2011 - jeremy got into some trouble over his toilet seat comments) admittedly I was afraid very afraid, while in the car at about 100km/hr there was a tuktuk coming in our lane toward us(opposite direction), I felt as though I was on fear factor India there is no slow and fast lane, there are no lanes, sure they marked but with the dynamic mix of sizes of users a 3 lane road easily makes way for 6 or 7, Apart from hooting though all is understood by their brethren(not many female drivers) its as though its okay; there's no road rage no shouting you hoot you make a small nudge you hoot some more and you carry on...
People here make do with what they have, you will find a family of 4 on a little scooter, no helmets, the female passengers always sitting ladylike because of their dresses and sarees, gracefully as though they've been cemented to their seats, wind in their hair, not so open road...not the slightest worry of falling off...
Hotels in India seem to have strict security checks much like I've seen in gypt, a trolley with a floor mirror checks the undercarriage the boot is open and bonnet before entry, airport stlye bag scanners check your luggage, handbags, coats, and after passing a metal detector a pat down search is in order...
Everyone in India are helpful and happy, they did ask us if we Indian thou hmmm
After just a few hours here I can say I am surprised intrigued and humbled by this colourful and charming piece of earth...
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