Transportation

There are several modes of transportation here. Cars of all make and model, buses (packed), train, motorcycles, rickshaw taxis ( pictured ), rickshaw bicycles, bicycles,and by foot. The rickshaw bicycle pictured is a bit " tricked out". Most are green and yellow with a layer of rust or dirt. Sometimes a curtain sheilding the passengers view. The motorcycles weave their magic between the cars and buses, very effortlessly, as traffic merges down the road. What amazes me is the number of passengers on one motorcycle. In the picture above, a family of four,(the front passenger hopped off before I captured the picture) on one motorcycle. None of them holding on!

I am visiting the Capital of India, so the traffic is abundant and consistent no matter what time of day. No laws govern the movement of traffic except for traffic lights and designated sides of the road that traffic travels ( opposite sides than USA). There are no lanes of traffic to speak of. Vehicles just move and weave and merge, hoping each other will yield when necessary. Honking accompanies every sudden change or annoyance. It was quite unnerving at first, but I have already adjusted.

The license plates of the cars are significant and interesting. A yellow colored plate signifies a taxi. White plate signifies a resident of New Delhi. A blue plate, a diplomat! Not only the blue color of the plate but the license number will designate what country one is representing. Example: 77 CD 1 (77 being the US ),( CD= country diplomat), ( 1 = your status, the number 1 being a higher status than 20). Most likely the Embassador himself! Nothing safer than driving around in a third world country in a vehicle that reveals your importance!

Most foreigners living here employ a driver. A native to India that knows better how to navigate New Dehli and who is very familiar with the symantecs. Kushal is one of the 2 drivers for the Hattaways. One driver for Sir and one driver for Ma'am. He lives in a room above them while his family lives 12 hours away by bus! He goes home only for an occasional weekend or Holiday when he is off. He is at the beckon call of the Hattaways and fills 2/3 of his day behind the wheel. School drop off, pick up, errands, deliveries, outside activities for the children, not to mention any evening activities for Naomi and husband, Todd.

The beggars, that wonder from car to car when at a stop light, is a whole topic of its own!