M for Monsoon!
It's monsoon season here in India and we are getting the full experience.
Apparently, this is not your normal monsoon, but instead it's of the "wrath of god" variety. Check out this headline.
Our 2-hour drive to hotel number 2 took us 4 hours. It was hard to get really good pictures, but these are the best of the bunch.
As you can see, it is entirely logical to be knee deep in water, with driving rains moving both vertically and horzontally, but to still bother with an umbrella.
There were roads that had been closed off due to land slide, gridlock (we spent 1 of the 2 additional hours, going in the wrong direction because there was too much traffic going in the correct direction), and various vehicles spilled or stuck throughout the roads. But, when you aren't in a rush to get anywhere, you can simply sit back and take it all in. As far as I'm concerned, it was all part of being in India. I am, however, pleased that my normal commute is far less arduous.
It's amazing to see the difference between the local shops....
And the offices...
Driving around made me feel, even more, that I couldn't wait for the work week to be over and the sight seeing and shopping portion of our the trip to begin. There is some pretty crushing poverty that is always hard to see, but there is also a lot that is amazing and beautiful.
Yet, while Ganesh was hanging out in the car to ensure a quick and easy ride...
... perhaps he sensed we were undeserving of such fortune, because our trip back from the office to the hotel showed us what gridlock really was.
Traffic was backed up for miles not only because some roads were impassible and this was the best alternative, but also because the rules of the road in India, should be more rightly called "suggestions." Stop lights, lanes, and other street markings need only be acknowledged if convenient. The horn should be used constantly if there are any other vehicles, pedestrians or bicycles around. I am not exaggerating in the slightest. We could be in a single lane of traffic, moving as quickly as it is going to move. Everyone would be honking the horn. One should honk both as a suggestion to others to move and in all futile situations in which no apparent entity is the recipient.
To underscore this rule, all trucks have some sort of saying such as this:
This is roughly equivalent to someone painting "blink" or "breath" on the back of their truck. While it might encourage you to do it more, there's really no chance you wouldn't have done it anyway. I cannot even fathom what someone would do if their horn broke in India. I suspect it'd be akin to losing a tire; one would simply be unable to drive the vehicle until the matter had been sorted out.
Now, where did I put that Advil?
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Comments (13)
What a great newspaper headline! Go boldly for the drama.
Posted by Laurie | July 6, 2006 12:03 PM
Posted on July 6, 2006 12:03
Yes! You're bringing back some wonderful memories. I hope you'll enjoy India, and even the less than savory parts will be looked back on fondly when you return.
Posted by Karma | July 5, 2006 5:47 PM
Posted on July 5, 2006 17:47
I'm loving the photos & commentary. Driving in India reminds me of driving in Manila - cars would take over a lane in opposing traffic & create their "new" lane. And New Yorkers think they have bad traffic!
Posted by Delica | July 5, 2006 12:32 PM
Posted on July 5, 2006 12:32
Wow - that rain is incredible! Hope your India trip shapes up a bit - hopefully when you start to sightsee.
I sure don't envy that traffic!
Posted by jessica~ | July 5, 2006 11:59 AM
Posted on July 5, 2006 11:59
Insane! I can't believe you've done two India posts already. Egads! I think the umbrella shot is quite good - on the level of photojournalism. Sounds like you are really getting a sense of the country's flavor.
Posted by Julia | July 5, 2006 10:32 AM
Posted on July 5, 2006 10:32
Wowie kazowie... hope you had your knitting to help you stay calm. I'd've been a nervous wreck.
Posted by Janice in GA | July 5, 2006 7:15 AM
Posted on July 5, 2006 07:15
I spent 4 months in India and had maybe 3 days of rain. It wasn't the moonsoon season !
Ah yes the horns...forgot about those.
We have one that we bought in Chennai at the airport on the way home. It is such an integral part of any India experience. We have it nailed to the top of the kitchen door frame.
I use it occasionally to summon people to dinner. Visitors to the house like to honk it too. It leaves green rubber residue on your hands. Ahh India !!!
Learn the head waggle yet ?
Posted by Laila | July 5, 2006 6:43 AM
Posted on July 5, 2006 06:43
I suspect that the umbrella thing is our (The British) fault! You always need an umbrella when it's raining. Even if it is horizontal rain.
Posted by AmyP | July 5, 2006 3:49 AM
Posted on July 5, 2006 03:49
Hoorah, that looks like incredible fun! I remember the hooting in Mumbai. It made me wish I had a horn so I could join in.
Posted by Abi | July 5, 2006 1:40 AM
Posted on July 5, 2006 01:40
I've never been to India and have always wanted to go.. but I'm glad that you are taking such good pictures and telling us stories. Its also nice to see that (even though the noise must be horrific) you are taking it all in stride and going with the flow of things.. I can't wait to see your sight seeing photos!
Posted by Mouse | July 4, 2006 8:56 PM
Posted on July 4, 2006 20:56
awe, amazing stuff tho!!
Posted by pixiepurls | July 4, 2006 8:06 PM
Posted on July 4, 2006 20:06
I saw some of the monsoon coverage on the news, it was hardly believable. You sound like you have a good attitude about you, and I hope you don't get any weird illnesses. Safe travels!
Posted by June | July 4, 2006 7:59 PM
Posted on July 4, 2006 19:59
Yikes! I bet you didn't think to pack your Waders, either, huh??
Posted by --Deb | July 4, 2006 7:24 PM
Posted on July 4, 2006 19:24