Something Rich and Strange

I arrived last night in Delhi at about 9 pm. Needless to say, what could be discerned in darkness, was minimal. However, one of the most spectacular “sites” was the highway that connected Delhi-the-city to the airport. Having ridden and worked on “thrill” rides at Disneyland in my youth, I was somewhat prepared me for the kind of excitement I would experience. Except in Delhi, unlike Disneyland, the cars (and indeed, all manner of motorized - and unmotorized - vehicles) are not on a track.

Nor were they usually in a particular lane.

Lane lines, of which there are two or three in most places, are really only guidelines. I take that back; they are mere suggestions of where you might want to position your vehicle in reference to another. How else would drivers, who instinctually know the correct number of lanes to form at any given point, be able to exercise their vehicular creativity? For instance, why squander the width of two lanes on only two cars when a scooter, “lorry,” minivan and cab will fit quite nicely, albeit it noisily?

According to my sage driver, Raj, three things are necessary to stay on Delhi’s roads: A good horn, good brakes and good luck. Fortunately, we experienced all three last night.

Today, I venture into the light, Raj at the helm, to experience Old and New Delhi. Buckled-up.

Photo credit