The Barretts continue...
I imagine the Delhi Highway Code is a moderatly small pocket book of perhaps 100 pages that pretty much tells you the following things you need to know:
1. Anytime there is any gap in the traffic - GO FOR IT!
2. If you are ever stationary... you are in someones way, MOVE!
3. Right of way is given to the vechile that dictates it the strongest.
4. Lane markings, mean nothing. The road takes as many cars that can squeeze in.
5. Your car horn is pretty much a substitute for indicators.
After that i would imagine the rest of the book is blank pages. You just write it yourself. The only saving grace to the constant cross lane cutting up is that the traffic rarely gets upto 40mph max. In some ways i quite like the notion of getting behind the wheel for a stage or two of this oversized wacky races but having to seriously commute in it on a daily basis... that could probably try my patience.
But then thats the strangest aspect to Delhi's congestion, no one really flys off the handle. At home you see ugly tempers fly for such triviality. Quite frankly what passes for a normal journey here would kick off a riot at home that would be comparable to a game of Garnd Theft Auto (violent computer game where gameplay revolves around criminality and anti social antics). But then im sure the Indian readers here are aware that rioting is fast becoming a national pastime in Britain so maybe that statement doesnt really empasize any point as such.
To try and clarify, its nothing short of astonishing that the situation does not result in a level of widespread battery and aggravated asssualt on every corner. What i witness in India suggests that road users settle to a comfortable numbness with the chaos, where low level verbal abuse is mutually reciprocated by all road users. Whilst ive been told that police handle such behaviour with a zero tolerance deters such behaviour (UK could prehaps use the Indian police force - just a thought). For me it is also an indicator to the Indian psyche and its abhorrence of violence. Just keep on trucking, Delhi style.
And talking of trucking... now and again on a dual carriageway you see one of these taking up the slow lane... i just got the snap off as we overtook them. If its overtaling you, you have problems.
I imagine the Delhi Highway Code is a moderatly small pocket book of perhaps 100 pages that pretty much tells you the following things you need to know:
1. Anytime there is any gap in the traffic - GO FOR IT!
2. If you are ever stationary... you are in someones way, MOVE!
3. Right of way is given to the vechile that dictates it the strongest.
4. Lane markings, mean nothing. The road takes as many cars that can squeeze in.
5. Your car horn is pretty much a substitute for indicators.
After that i would imagine the rest of the book is blank pages. You just write it yourself. The only saving grace to the constant cross lane cutting up is that the traffic rarely gets upto 40mph max. In some ways i quite like the notion of getting behind the wheel for a stage or two of this oversized wacky races but having to seriously commute in it on a daily basis... that could probably try my patience.
But then thats the strangest aspect to Delhi's congestion, no one really flys off the handle. At home you see ugly tempers fly for such triviality. Quite frankly what passes for a normal journey here would kick off a riot at home that would be comparable to a game of Garnd Theft Auto (violent computer game where gameplay revolves around criminality and anti social antics). But then im sure the Indian readers here are aware that rioting is fast becoming a national pastime in Britain so maybe that statement doesnt really empasize any point as such.
To try and clarify, its nothing short of astonishing that the situation does not result in a level of widespread battery and aggravated asssualt on every corner. What i witness in India suggests that road users settle to a comfortable numbness with the chaos, where low level verbal abuse is mutually reciprocated by all road users. Whilst ive been told that police handle such behaviour with a zero tolerance deters such behaviour (UK could prehaps use the Indian police force - just a thought). For me it is also an indicator to the Indian psyche and its abhorrence of violence. Just keep on trucking, Delhi style.
And talking of trucking... now and again on a dual carriageway you see one of these taking up the slow lane... i just got the snap off as we overtook them. If its overtaling you, you have problems.
Our first trip out into old delhi and the SCALE of the temples, forts, and palaces continue to impart their intended statement of power and prestige, as the day they were built. A time line of power and ruling dynasties whose testimony is still told through sheer ornamental beauty with monumental scale.
Of course there are far deeper phylosphical wizdom to be imparted , but when you have little children to keep an eye on, its a little difficult to give these places the time and contemplative study they warrant.
Thats then the kids put a very good case forward that "contemplative study" might be a bit over rated. Jama Mishad Mosque in old delhi, Qutub minal temple, the India Gate and Gandhi memorial were awe inspiring settings enjoyed for their safe open environment for the children to play in as well as their architectural splendour.
Besides the need for speed is addressed with a white knuckle rickshaw tour of Chandi Chowk market. A literal maze of tight little streets of 4ft+ with a claustraphobic bombardment of little stalls lining the sides and a low tangling mass of overhanging electricity wires. Like an electrical loom has been ripped out and hotwired feeds run off every point. The tour ride is sort of like a fairground bumper ride in truth where pedestrians are hazzard to rickshaw, scooter and motorbikes pushing their way past. On that basis alone, actually trying to shop there is not an appealing proposition. But to see the place from this perspective is a really fun Experience.
I could people watch all day here. I find myself seeing everthing and everyone in terms of their photogenic power. Moments approach..... ..and then pass by undocumented as i juggle carrying Jay and flicking between camcorder and camera. The rich diverse bombardment to the visual sense is a photographers dream here, especially that of the people. The human face can tell a thousand stories in the context of a photo. None more so grab me like the poor elderly and especially the children that can be found begging on a scale that soon overwhelms.
I dont really point the camera at them to the most part. I cant justify being so intrusive without some form of publishing that warrants it. But i dont deny i want to. We are social beings and poeple are are emotional matter at the end of the day. Im a bit of a soft touch with giving out tips to beggers even though im well aware im just buying myself an easier conscience more than anything else.
I was given the opportunity to be the subject matter in the following photo. Im petrified of snakes and declined the snake charmers invitation to sit beside him as he played to his cobras.
Im particularly annoyed with myself now that i allowed that opportunity to pass.
No comments:
Post a Comment