I havent really slept in three days, kinda punchy right now. My first day in Mumbai is hardly over but has already proven most interesting. I have lived and driven in Latin America but the Indians take insane driving to another level. Perhaps the Italians can rival them but I dont know. I got in Mumbai at about 1:30 am local time and we drove to the Hyatt in the dark and the roads were not really all that bad. But this morning? Forget that, like the song says, its a free for all. If you were wondering where all the pie crust 2 whitewalls went to, they are here on Ambassador taxi cabs (Morris clone) and they are like cockroaches, just everywhere. I have seen some Hindustani sedans and Enfield motorcycles as well. In addition there were cows here and there doing whatever they wanted, no elephants yet, although there is one that if you give it (and the owner) a rupee then the elephant will bonk you on the forehead as a blessing. It has no problem reaching in through the car window I am told. People will jump off of busses and expect not to get hit. I think that for the Indian driver it is by far more important to have a horn than brakes. It is used instead of turn signals, seriously. Painted lanes are treated as mere suggestions and going up the wrong way on a street is acceptable as long as you dont get in the way and a car and a Vespa can happily drive in the same lane next to each other. I know this because our driver Sadiq did all of that stuff just on the way to work I better go have some guram chai before I keel over (hot tea Indian style go to your local coffee house and ask for a chai tea).
in a couple weeks there'll be two hambers in mumbai. im headed there for a couple days at the end of the month for work. im excited to go... -scott noteboom
As soon as I get my cell phone there will be pictures. Scott, If you want to meet up I am staying at the Hyatt. Prepare yourself for a loooooong flight. Another thing, I think the Indians are responsible for the Pimp my Truck show, they paint the bejeezus out of them, most have "Horn Please" on the back.
Been there. Done that. Mumbai isn't all that bad. Try going up to New Delhi or Agra. If you want real fun, try Varanasi with its alleys.
If you want a real treat try and catch "Bangla Bangers" show on Discovery.....it makes pimp my ride look tastefull but what these guys do with a big hammer and a wornout hacksaw blade is amazing!! The worn out hacksaw blade was used to strip paint back to bare metal (no paint stripper of media blasting here) from the whole car!!!
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