Aug 16 2007

Time is running out on my journey to India, a little over 24 hours until I catch a plane to Thailand for the week. I've enjoyed my time in India, but at the same time I look forward to Thailand and a new venue.

Today was the first day I really experienced "rush" hour on the highways here. The side streets are always terrible, but the highways are usually pretty clear. Some observations of an India highway.

First off...lanes still don't exist, they are more like suggestions and the best way to travel the highway is to split the line. And two trucks in front of you...there's plenty of space to split between them...regardless of what your eyes tell you. Scooters? No problem...A women in a sari riding side saddle holding her young infant...absolutely. A tractor in the fast lane going 10km? Of course. Need to stop and relieve yourself? Stop in the slow lane and take your time. That fancy tool booth? Too much hassle when you can put a wooden shack in the middle of the highway 100 yards down the road and stop only commercial vehicles while everyone else zips by 12 inches away. And really, what better place for a cow than strolling down the fast lane, soon to be followed by 10 people crossing the road because they haven't really gotten around to putting under or overpasses in place for miles up on miles. Hey, that crane is needed to fix a pot hole, no worries, join the crowd...and don't worry about going the wrong way, you're bigger than everyone else.

And when you get off the freeway, line up seven wide (don't worry about the oncoming traffic) and the second the light turns green...everyone hit the gas trying to squeeze two wide on a one lane road. I had this image of the start of a marathon, everyone spread across the street...the gun fires off and everyone races to get through a door 20 yards away first.

And the oddest part, it all just works. Absolutely chaos creating an odd sort of symmetry.

I think I'll actually miss India this time.

Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India, the courtyard can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. It was absolutely lovely on the day we visited, with pigeons roaming the courtyard. I was kind of hoping something would spook them...but didn't dare cause a disturbance...so I was secretly thrilled when a loud sound came from the side and they all took off in a hurry.

New Delhi, India
August 2007