sangiro 26 #1 September 10, 2003 Heya all, I just sent my first "report" back to the home office in LA. I thought I'd post a sligtly shorter version (no sunstantial changes) here as well. Here we go: QuoteIt's all quiet on the eastern front. Here's what I have learned on my first day in India. In India it is not only appropriate but also expected that you substitute most of the "normal" traffic signals with honking your horn. For example, if you plan to change lanes (more on lanes later), no point in using an indicator, simply honk your horn and promptly move over as many lanes as you see fit. You can also hang your arm out the car and timidly point at the 2x2 feet opening in the traffic where you plan pull your bus into. This is a "nice to have" and doesn't mean much unless it's accompanied by a brisk honking of your horn. Lanes should be thought of as a faint and somewhat unreliable way of gauging where the road was intended to run originally. They have absolutely nothing to do with the number of vehicles that are supposed to be driven next to each other. I think a good general rule of thumb is to think of a demarcated 2 lane road as a road that can carry 5 standard cars (or taxis) side by side. From there, add 2 cars for every additional lane, or alternatively 1 truck and 3 motorcycles, or alternatively 1 truck, a bicycle and a car without side-mirrors. There are already 2 other motorcycles and 3 bicycles on the gravel road-works next to the road where they are digging to add another lane. (Please refer back to the guide on lanes.) Other more seasoned India visitors may be able to validate my estimates. I kept it conservative. Other things that I think you can probably honk your horn for: When you have an itch that you cannot scratch, feel free to honk your horn. Honk your horn when you fall asleep at the wheel. Honk your horn to greet your friendly neighborhood cow in the middle of the road. Honk your horn when you plan to drive more than 2 blocks on the wrong side of the road into the oncoming traffic. (It’s good to just hold it down in this case untill you join the traffic moving in your general direction again.) Honk your horn if you don't know where the hotel is. Honk your horn when you forget what to do next. Honk your horn from time to time just to show you're still alive. And finally, every now and then it's a good idea to just merrily honk your horn at the other guy who's honking his horn. As soon as I figure out how any of this applies to Dropzone.com I'll let you know. Safe swoops Sangiro Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #2 September 10, 2003 Sounds like the canopy traffic at some of the boogies I've attended LOL. Don't let it phase you, pretty soon you will be zooming through traffic like the locals and throwing that arm out and pointing too. Remember, it's not an attitude, it's a latitude. Welcome to the rest of the world"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #3 September 10, 2003 Wow, you sure you're not in Chicago? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #4 September 10, 2003 Just know we expect you to be careful and get back here in one piece so you can plan in LA traffic which is "safe". -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
txblondie 0 #5 September 10, 2003 No wonder cab drivers in America are so scary...most of them are from India! So, I guess if the horn blows out, you're sort of screwed... ***************************************** Blondes do have more fun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katiebear21 0 #6 September 10, 2003 Do they really have lights or just those blasted traffic circles like they have here? Actually, they're called "Round-A-Bouts". They scare the piss outta me! God help you if your horn doesn't work! Katie Get your PMS glass necklace here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 September 10, 2003 Back when I was in college and Cyndi Lauper was popular, I had a bumper sticker on my car that said, "honk if you she-bop", based on her song about self-pleasuring. I wonder what would happen if you slapped a bunch of those stickers on their cars! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #8 September 10, 2003 Sounds like driving in Manhattan. __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #9 September 10, 2003 Pretty good description of driving in Puerto Rico, too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #10 September 10, 2003 Sounds like fun. What kind of car are you using? I drove a Fiat Punto around most of Italy. Sounds similar, but with fewer cows. It had a crappy horn, but was so small you could just about split lanes with it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #11 September 10, 2003 QuoteDo they really have lights or just those blasted traffic circles like they have here? Actually, they're called "Round-A-Bouts". They scare the piss outta me! "Look kids....Big Ben....Parliament." Do they have the "Scooter SUV" over there? Ya know...they tend to think that's a perfectly great idea to put a family of 5 on a scooter and ride in traffic. Saw that most days in Korea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QuickDraw 0 #12 September 10, 2003 Wait until you arrive at the airport, the red-tape is unbelievable (a remnant of the British empire i believe). Someone to check you have a passport. Someone to check you have a visa stamp. Someone to stamp your passport & re-check the visa stamp. Someone to check your passport has been stamped. .. and on the way out its even worse. -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFKING 4 #13 September 10, 2003 QuoteAs soon as I figure out how any of this applies to Dropzone.com I'll let you know. QuoteWhen you have an itch that you cannot scratch, feel free to honk your horn. Or....there's more than one use for a hot fork. Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GARYC24 3 #14 September 10, 2003 [ Actually, they're called "Round-A-Bouts I wonder if there's any connection with that and the song by "YES"? (Fragile album) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 September 10, 2003 That' why I've been told by more then a couple people to have a passport that has a lot of stamps in it. Even if they're worthless, when traveling to countries like India. The inspector-types tend to see all the stamps and assume you're ok, let you through with less hassle. That and one of the guys I was talking to said its good to have about $20 worth of their currence in a single bill form in your passport too. It won't always be there when you get it back, but it helps speed things up. Once again, though, that is what was told to me by a couple guys I once knew that traveled, I haven't actually experienced it.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #16 September 10, 2003 QuoteQuoteNo wonder cab drivers in America are so scary...most of them are from India! Quote didn't even think of that... good point. traffic is EXACTLY like that minus the cows in Cairo - but there was teh occasional Camel!!! My dad's been in over 60 countries, including a few in Africa, Middle East, Asia & the Easter block of Europe. India he really detested & hugely complains every time he has to go back. good luck!! Come back whole!! There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
