Truly Terrifying

Hello all of you egg heads!

I asked Mike if he would let me write about driving in Bangalore, and as he still had the shakes from our last experience, he agreed. (the shakes are probably from the espresso!)( just kidding)

First of all you must realise that even deciding to leave the hotel is a weighty decision. Do we really want to go to Food World so bad that we are willing to put our lives in the hands of some maniac?? I know you are thinking, surely its not that bad....yes it is! totally insane.

The roads for the most part are in very good shape. Very wide lanes that realistically could hold at least 4 cars across comfortably. (well...maybe 3 with lots of room between) But the cold hard facts shake out to be about 8 or 9 types of vehicles across. If the motorcycles manage to dominate the front ...oh about 20 or so across. *Once I looked across an intersection and could have sworn that I was in the front row--getting ready to watch a motorcyle race. TONS of them all jockeying for position and revving up to explode into a lead once the light turned green! So you're saying 'big deal' well the problem is that every conceivable sq. inch of room behind them is also filled to the max. Lanes? what lanes?

We still haven't quite figured out what the honking means. Evidently it means whatever u want it to mean. Basically...I'm behind you...I have the right of way... get of my way...I'm 1 inch to your left (or right) please pass the grey poupon!

Anyhoo...back to our drivers. You know you are in trouble when they rush up the steps of the hotel to greet you with great enthusiasm. why????????? Have you ever heard of extreme sports? Yes its a major rush screeching out of the hotel parking lot and merging (ha!) into traffic.
The incredible rush of pumping the car up to 6omph in five feet knowing that you have to slam on your brakes in the next 6 inches. Actually we've only had one driver that really did scare Mike and I. I'm trying to figure out how to delicately refuse to drive with him again. =)

There is much more of course, but I'll leave that to your imagination. My advice? Keep your eyes peeled out the passenger window and leave them there until you reach your destination.

Later
Mary