According to our driver, if a person learns how to drive the streets of Bangalore then they can drive just about anywhere in the world. I fully believe this statement after observing Raju (our driver) in action throughout this past week in south India.
As I thought about what it would be like for me to be behind the wheel, I concluded that after I got used to driving on the other side of the road (no small feat in and of itself), my next lesson would have to be ignoring the dotted lines on roads. In essence, there are no lanes on the streets in India and the sooner I understand this, the better chance I'll have of surviving! Much like the Indy 500, if a driver spots an opening in traffic then he is entitled to it. Half the fun of traveling the streets of India is observing the various modes of transportation co-existing within three lanes of traffic -- from cars, trucks, motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, cows, goats and everything else imaginable.
In addition to simple survival, one of the best reasons for hiring a personal driver in places like Bangalore is contact with one who knows the area and where to go. Raju had more suggestions of places to visit than we had energy but, in the end, I believe we saw the highlights of the city and can save the remaining attractions for another time. And let's just say there were no shortage of retail shops as we traveled from one attraction to another, each hoping we leave our Rupees with them in exchange for pillow shams, wooden carvings and scarves.
In addition to learning about Bangalore, complete with its government, retail and industrial districts, Ginny and I were able to visit some of the parks that provide green space and sanity for tourists and city residents alike. From palm trees to bamboo gardens to providing places to spit, the parks of Bangalore seemed to have it all and were wonderful pit stops!
I won't forget how we westerners were constantly stopped by others who wanted to take our picture. It's kind of funny to think how many people will end up looking at us when our new-found friends show their pictures to family and friends back home. From what I recall, we'll be in pictures from Delhi to Nepal to Turkey. Wonderfully friendly people most everywhere we traveled!
