While we haven't quite seen the worst of the traffic just yet, it is definitely the most apparent of the differences I've noticed in my first day or so in India. Most of it consists of cabs (which are smaller cars than american cabs) auto-rickshaws (which can best be described as scooters with back seats, two back wheels, and open-air covers) and motorcycles. There are also cars, bicycles, foot traffic and trucks which are almost all brightly painted with cool designs not just painted but built into them, especially in the doors. The lanes here are more of suggestions with everyone weaving in and out of them. There are few street signs and almost no traffic lights. Rather than be guided by those things like Americans are, the Indians constantly use their horns to communicate with other vehicles. Unlike the American car horn which is reserved to say things like, "Wake Up!" or "Fuck You" the Indian horn says anything and everything like, "Passing on the right" "Watch out behind you" "Go" "Stop" etc. etc. etc.
I had my first auto-rick ride yesterday when we went to a clothing store and then a coffee shop with Denise's friends Manav and Carissa. The first time the rick pulled within arms reach of another moving car I admit I flinched a bit, but I quickly allowed myself to trust the rick driver (who I'm sure wants to crash even less-so than I do) and since then have been getting my bearings well and enjoying all of my rick rides.
videos to come...
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