Disclaimer - Homelandia is a series of posts sharing my experiences from my recent trip to India. All the posts are based on true events exaggerated with a bit of masala (spice) in a truly Indian fashion. This includes some immature and naive opinions voiced by yours truly. No offense intended. None taken. Click here to read Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7 of the series.
During my recent trip to India, I had the opportunity to travel by different means of transport. As a naive NRI of 8 years who is visiting India after a gap of 3 years, I experience each one with a fresh perspective.
Autorickshaws - The three legged monsters in India. Just kidding, but maybe the autorickshaw drivers in Cochin can definitely be monstrous. They can scare the wits out of you by charging an exorbitant amount for a short ride. Other times they will completely ignore you and seek out a better prey. These strange three wheeled contraptions are the most common mode of transport for folks not owning a vehicle in India. A ride in the autorickshaw can feel like an exercise routine with a bouncing ball in slow motion. If you and your back can endure the potholed roads in India, they can be really convenient or if you are as smart as your smartphone, you will be better off calling Uber or Ola.
Buses - My first bus ride in ages reminds me of my very first roller coaster ride. I am on the edge of my seat and my heart is ready to jump out with every turn and twist. The only difference is I was able to scream out from my guts during the roller coaster ride. In the bus, I am still screaming inside. I finally let out a small scream when our bus driver decides to turn his head and have a chat with the conductor while driving at full speed and blasting his horn at full volume which is his way of saying "GET OUT OF MY WAY". I look around in panic and nobody in the bus finds this unusual and continue fiddling with their smartphones. My scream is easily lost in the very loud Bollywood music blaring out of the creaking speakers in the bus. My heart skips a beat as the "desi kalakaar" Yo yo Honey Singh croaks out from the speakers telling us to "Party all night" in a not so "Dheere Dheere" manner and I go back to screaming silently.
Planes - I am pleasantly surprised to find that domestic planes in India are much cleaner and more spacious than their counterparts in the US. Apparently everyone else in India has also realized this, as every airport I visit reminds me of my long and arduous visit through LA airport.
PS: Feel free to share your own NRI or non-NRI experiences with Indian transportation in comments below or on facebook.
During my recent trip to India, I had the opportunity to travel by different means of transport. As a naive NRI of 8 years who is visiting India after a gap of 3 years, I experience each one with a fresh perspective.
Buses - My first bus ride in ages reminds me of my very first roller coaster ride. I am on the edge of my seat and my heart is ready to jump out with every turn and twist. The only difference is I was able to scream out from my guts during the roller coaster ride. In the bus, I am still screaming inside. I finally let out a small scream when our bus driver decides to turn his head and have a chat with the conductor while driving at full speed and blasting his horn at full volume which is his way of saying "GET OUT OF MY WAY". I look around in panic and nobody in the bus finds this unusual and continue fiddling with their smartphones. My scream is easily lost in the very loud Bollywood music blaring out of the creaking speakers in the bus. My heart skips a beat as the "desi kalakaar" Yo yo Honey Singh croaks out from the speakers telling us to "Party all night" in a not so "Dheere Dheere" manner and I go back to screaming silently.
Planes - I am pleasantly surprised to find that domestic planes in India are much cleaner and more spacious than their counterparts in the US. Apparently everyone else in India has also realized this, as every airport I visit reminds me of my long and arduous visit through LA airport.
PS: Feel free to share your own NRI or non-NRI experiences with Indian transportation in comments below or on facebook.
