No rain the entire trip!
Whittaker’s Chocolate from New Zealand brought by one of the Kiwi’s on our trip — simply the best I’ve ever tried. Wow!
Horse-drawn carts do drive on restricted-access highways. Seriously. And sometimes they even go in the same direction as other traffic.
A surprise to me, and others in the group – India has not been smelly. We all thought that with cow dung, pig poop, dog poop, camel pies, and human waste everywhere, we would be overwhelmed with bad smells. Actually, every place we’ve been has been closer to fragrant, than stinky. Fruits, flowers, vegetables, spices, grains, incense, etc., all combine to provide a pleasant array of “nectars” for the nose. Definitely not so in many other countries, even some places in the U.S.
Finally figured out the official traffic rules:
- Big trucks are generally the most courteous drivers.
- Busses straddle the highway lines so they can quickly break left or right to cut you off.
- Public buses are the worst – they speed like demons, switch lanes, and blast their horns. A lot. Must be on a strict cash bonus system for early arrivals!
- Tuk tuks ride the side of the road, except for when they don’t.
- Car drivers MUST PASS YOU and they are obnoxious.
- Motorcycle and scootie riders all have a death wish.
- Dogs cross anywhere, but quickly get out of your way. Pretty smart, huh!?
- And cows “drive” the roads however, whenever, wherever, whichever, and whatever way they want.
- Parking – anywhere, almost anytime, as long as you make sure it’s inconvenient for others.
Indians are amazingly friendly people, fun to talk with, and they love photos with westerners.
A short & witty ending…
A journey is just a conversation with the world.
