If there is even a hint of darkness in the sky- I don't even care if it's the sunniest day but in the distance you see a patch of dark cloud, don't decide to go out and run errands. It will rain on you. And it will rain hard.
Scooters are awesome- when it's NOT raining.
Showing posts with label Driving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Driving. Show all posts
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Anecdote #12 for riding a scooter in India
Never wear chap stick or sticky lip gloss and then get on your scooter in India. Or anywhere really.
Unless you want dirt for lipstick, and I guarantee you that dirt brown is not the new pink!
Unless you want dirt for lipstick, and I guarantee you that dirt brown is not the new pink!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Driving in India
Where do I start? An agent I am training told me last night, "Shelley, if you can drive in India, you can drive anywhere!"
Driving in India is like nothing I have experienced, and until I figured out the biggest rule, I would continue to struggle as a new driver. So, about 2 weeks ago I got it, it just came to me, and ever since then, I've been not only confident, but have been told by a few people that I am a good driver.
The golden rule to Indian driving:
There are no rules!!!
Here are a few tidbits to help you understand Indian driving. Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you do your best and leave the results to your insurance company.
In the form of a Q&A I'll attempt to paint you a pretty picture of what I deal with on a daily basis.
** Mom, this is not to freak you out. So please read this with an open mind, and a sense of humour.
1. Do we drive on the left or the right side of the road:
The answer is both.
Well technically, in India you drive on the left side of the road (opposite) of home. But here is the logic behind this theory. Basically you start on the left side of the road, unless that is occupied, you go to the right side of the road, and if that is occupied you just aim your vehicle straight ahead. Trust your instincts. Just remember other drivers are in the same position as you are in.
2. Pedestrians get the right away, right?
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. If you are a foreign pedestrian and you think you get the right away, because that's how it is done at home, you'll get hit by a car, a motorcycle, a scooter or a rickshaw. There will be no remorse, you got in the way. Only proceed when there is no traffic, and if there is traffic proceed through it frogger style. If you are not sure what frogger is, then clearly you have never watched Seinfeld and seen George cross the street frogger style. I thought that was hilarious until I came here, and a sitcom became my reality.
3. Are there one way streets in India?
Yes. But the signs that are put there to tell you that it is a one way street is just decoration to make it seem like there is some order. Go ahead and drive down the street in the wrong direction anyway. You'll be considered stupid if you go the 'long' way.
4. Are there designated speed limits?
HAHAHAHAHAHA! No. There aren't. There are speed bumps and traffic to make you go slow, and when those aren't there to slow you down, go as darn fast as you want.
5. Are there really cows on the road?
Yes, and no. In Hyderabad there aren't so many, but they exist. And cows don't look both ways before they cross the street.
6. What is it like to drive at night?
Have you heard of the game of Russian roulette??? Ya, kind of like that. Turning signals are optional.
7. Then how do you know someone is turning?
Well, you don't always. Most use their turn signal (if it works) and others use their arms out their window or on their motorcycle (like when you ride a bicycle). But that could be confusing too, because that could just be a physical statement of relief on a hot day.
8. Are there traffic lights?
Yes, in some places. But those are stoptional. Really, they are. I have only stopped at a red light a few times. I follow the traffic. If everyone else was going through the red light and I decided to stop, because I wanted to follow the rules, I would be severely laughed at. And I already get enough attention as a white girl on a scooter anyway.
Well I hope this paints a picture for you of what driving is like in India. I hope to take some videos to prove all this to you. But having said all this, apparently the accident rate and related deaths due to traffic accidents are less here in India than in North America. Makes you think now doesn't it? Perhaps order isn't all it's cracked up to be!!
Driving in India is like nothing I have experienced, and until I figured out the biggest rule, I would continue to struggle as a new driver. So, about 2 weeks ago I got it, it just came to me, and ever since then, I've been not only confident, but have been told by a few people that I am a good driver.
The golden rule to Indian driving:
There are no rules!!!
Here are a few tidbits to help you understand Indian driving. Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you do your best and leave the results to your insurance company.
In the form of a Q&A I'll attempt to paint you a pretty picture of what I deal with on a daily basis.
** Mom, this is not to freak you out. So please read this with an open mind, and a sense of humour.
1. Do we drive on the left or the right side of the road:
The answer is both.
Well technically, in India you drive on the left side of the road (opposite) of home. But here is the logic behind this theory. Basically you start on the left side of the road, unless that is occupied, you go to the right side of the road, and if that is occupied you just aim your vehicle straight ahead. Trust your instincts. Just remember other drivers are in the same position as you are in.
2. Pedestrians get the right away, right?
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. If you are a foreign pedestrian and you think you get the right away, because that's how it is done at home, you'll get hit by a car, a motorcycle, a scooter or a rickshaw. There will be no remorse, you got in the way. Only proceed when there is no traffic, and if there is traffic proceed through it frogger style. If you are not sure what frogger is, then clearly you have never watched Seinfeld and seen George cross the street frogger style. I thought that was hilarious until I came here, and a sitcom became my reality.
3. Are there one way streets in India?
Yes. But the signs that are put there to tell you that it is a one way street is just decoration to make it seem like there is some order. Go ahead and drive down the street in the wrong direction anyway. You'll be considered stupid if you go the 'long' way.
4. Are there designated speed limits?
HAHAHAHAHAHA! No. There aren't. There are speed bumps and traffic to make you go slow, and when those aren't there to slow you down, go as darn fast as you want.
5. Are there really cows on the road?
Yes, and no. In Hyderabad there aren't so many, but they exist. And cows don't look both ways before they cross the street.
6. What is it like to drive at night?
Have you heard of the game of Russian roulette??? Ya, kind of like that. Turning signals are optional.
7. Then how do you know someone is turning?
Well, you don't always. Most use their turn signal (if it works) and others use their arms out their window or on their motorcycle (like when you ride a bicycle). But that could be confusing too, because that could just be a physical statement of relief on a hot day.
8. Are there traffic lights?
Yes, in some places. But those are stoptional. Really, they are. I have only stopped at a red light a few times. I follow the traffic. If everyone else was going through the red light and I decided to stop, because I wanted to follow the rules, I would be severely laughed at. And I already get enough attention as a white girl on a scooter anyway.
Well I hope this paints a picture for you of what driving is like in India. I hope to take some videos to prove all this to you. But having said all this, apparently the accident rate and related deaths due to traffic accidents are less here in India than in North America. Makes you think now doesn't it? Perhaps order isn't all it's cracked up to be!!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Moving, driving a rickshaw, the spa, father's Day and a Gay Bar!
My title sounds like a new idea for an American sitcom......
I've been so extremely busy at work this last week, I've been working about 10-12 hour days because I am helping assess the new hires, and then also training for 2-3 hours a night. My training consists of me standing in a classroom type setting with my power point presentations that I have developed and teaching Indians about the way we live in North America. I am loving my job.
But things are certainly heating up on the personal front- meeting new friends, experiencing new things, and just trying to find my niche in this country. There isn't too much room for an independent, outspoken gal like myself in a country where many women have to be escorted around town (even when they are 25), or where grown men have a curfew at home. Most of the friends I have made have a lot more freedom, but I do have some good friends where meeting up with them is a challenge. I am a foreigner in this country, and I have to go and pick up my Indian friends to escort them out. But I do it, and I smile and realize things just are different here, and I am accepting of the culture, although wrapping your brain around it is another thing.
OK, so good news first, I am moving. Today. At 4:30 IST, which is 7am EST. Just so you are all clear that yes it is happening today. And I have almost finished re-packing (again) my things and am astounded what one can accumulate in 8 weeks. I won't have Internet connection for a little while (I hope not too long), but if I am out of touch that is why. I can't check my personal emails at work, and I don't actually have time as I am never at my desk it seems.
Yes, i drove an auto rickshaw. Tim and I went out to dinner a few nights ago and on the way home we got a cool driver who asked Tim if he wanted to drive. He said NO WAY! I was like, sure, I'll drive. So I got in front and the driver told me how to switch gears (it's a motorcycle on 3 wheels with a caboose.) So I drove the thing the whole way home, turning and switching gears, while Timothy laughed his ASS off in the back. Then the guy told me he was going to give me something special and told me to lean into the turn as he did a freaking pop-a-wheelie on the thing. I screamed like a girl.
I've been so extremely busy at work this last week, I've been working about 10-12 hour days because I am helping assess the new hires, and then also training for 2-3 hours a night. My training consists of me standing in a classroom type setting with my power point presentations that I have developed and teaching Indians about the way we live in North America. I am loving my job.
But things are certainly heating up on the personal front- meeting new friends, experiencing new things, and just trying to find my niche in this country. There isn't too much room for an independent, outspoken gal like myself in a country where many women have to be escorted around town (even when they are 25), or where grown men have a curfew at home. Most of the friends I have made have a lot more freedom, but I do have some good friends where meeting up with them is a challenge. I am a foreigner in this country, and I have to go and pick up my Indian friends to escort them out. But I do it, and I smile and realize things just are different here, and I am accepting of the culture, although wrapping your brain around it is another thing.
OK, so good news first, I am moving. Today. At 4:30 IST, which is 7am EST. Just so you are all clear that yes it is happening today. And I have almost finished re-packing (again) my things and am astounded what one can accumulate in 8 weeks. I won't have Internet connection for a little while (I hope not too long), but if I am out of touch that is why. I can't check my personal emails at work, and I don't actually have time as I am never at my desk it seems.
Yes, i drove an auto rickshaw. Tim and I went out to dinner a few nights ago and on the way home we got a cool driver who asked Tim if he wanted to drive. He said NO WAY! I was like, sure, I'll drive. So I got in front and the driver told me how to switch gears (it's a motorcycle on 3 wheels with a caboose.) So I drove the thing the whole way home, turning and switching gears, while Timothy laughed his ASS off in the back. Then the guy told me he was going to give me something special and told me to lean into the turn as he did a freaking pop-a-wheelie on the thing. I screamed like a girl.
Just another adventure to go into the trunk of world experiences, it goes on the list with other fun things like elephant riding in Thailand, zip-lining and surfing in Costa Rica, karaoke singing in Japan, getting caught in torrential monsoon rains in Singapore, getting pinched on the ass in Italy and climbing mountains in Korea.
I went to the spa yesterday, as I felt I needed to chill out and get a little pampered. The prices are so good here that is is hard to resist. So i went for threading (like waxing but with sewing thread). I have to say it hurts like a bitch. But it is better than waxing as it doesn't pull your skin. I also had a traditional head massage with coconut oil, a facial, a haircut, a french manicure and pedicure. I was there for over 4 hours and it was worth the time. I felt de-polluted. With the pollution here, it is good to have facials and pedicures and such every few months.
i know you are all waiting to hear about the gay club so I'll get to that. I have a gay friend, who will remain nameless, not that he cares, but this is a public forum where work people can access this blog if they look hard enough, and in India, homosexuality is still very very in the closet. People have actually told me that there are no gays in India. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I saw last night how many non-gays there are. Anyway my friend asked us to go with him, I was the only girl, and the other guys who went were straight too, and they are some of the coolest Indian guys I have ever met. These guys represent what India will most likely be in the next 10-20 years. Still Indian in culture (live with their families, get all meals cooked my mommy) but they also have modern views in life, and are open to learn new things. Such as having a somewhat openly gay friend and going to a gay club. ( I should also add that two of the guys I went with are also Christians). i know religion isn't the issue here, but I think Christian Indians might have more modern views than Hindus and Muslims. I don't want to generalize, and I know that is what I might be doing. But in my experience here, the Christians I meet here tend to a little more open.
Man, it was so fun to just go and dance with my guy friends and not get hit on or starred at. I danced for hours with everyone, even the gay Indian guys. It was nice to see these guys being able to have fun and be themselves and not have to face the scrutiny of the Indian culture. Things are changing here, but it is still a very new concept, and I was even surprised how well the Indian (straight) guys were at ease with the situation. One of our friends had a really hard time and I could sense his discomfort at being there. I told him it was different and it was OK if he felt weird about it. I think he was trying to put on a good front, because he didn't want us to think he wasn't "western" or modern. i told him even western people still have an issue with homosexuality and it was OK if he was uncomfortable at being at the gay club. It's NOT for everyone. He is fine with having a gay friend, and doesn't treat him differently, so that is all that matters. I on the other hand, had a friggin blast! it was one of our friends birthdays too, so after the club which closes around midnight-ish, we went back to our place and hung out and partied and ate cake until way past 4am. I am on the schedule so staying up until then is something I have to do anyway. All in all a terrific day, spa and gay club!
And lastly, but never least. Daddy! I wish you a happy father's day! I miss you with all my heart and hope you have a terrific day. Just because I am not there, know I am thinking about you. But also know that you have a lot to do with me being here, in India, as you always told me to be independent and do what makes me happy! You knew ever since I was a little girl that traveling and seeing the world was my dream. Who can say they are really living their dream? So thanks Dad, for leading by example, as I know you are living your dream. You have a wonderful family, (two amazing daughters I might add) HAHA. a wonderful wife and mother to your two girls, and you have a comfortable life. One that is so different from the one you grew up in, even though you were always surrounded by love. Thank you for giving Shar and I the things you never had. It means more than you know!
Happy Fathers day to all the men in my life who are father's. It's the MOST important job you'll ever have!
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