I just finished reading a book about the struggles of migrating from a third world country to a first world country and was pondering when Mr. D called and we started talking about Driving.
Driving a car in India is very difficult. You have to look forward, keep checking the rear-view mirror, keep correcting the side view mirror angles as the bikers somehow keep banging into them, try keeping your car at a safe distance in traffic, avoid driving close to Autorickshaws and Buses and many such judgement calls. There are just three rules to drive; Stop at Traffic Signals, Try not to use cellphones while driving & Don't Park in a no parking zone. For me it is like meditation, because when i am driving i cant allow any thoughts in my head else will end up with a huge dent on the doors of my car. Its also a good anxiety buster, I always tell my friends that whenever one is feeling anxious; one should just go for a drive. It sure will distract you enough to ease your worrisome feelings about an important meeting the next day or about your job interview results.
The most ironic part about driving in India is the driving test. I was just asked to make an '8' in a an already made track without any traffic or trucks & buses to dodge. It almost made me laugh. I passed and made an '8' and got my driving license in three working days.
Whereas, in a first world country driving is so easy. There are so many rules but still driving feels like a piece of cake that does get monotonous after a while. There are no potholes to look for, no judgement calls about Autorickshaw that would take a sharp turn out of the blue or the holy Cow that will decide to sprawl on half of the road. Adrenaline free driving. Almost boring from my paradigm.
But the driving tests, OMG! There are theory classes, practical classes, theoretical tests, Night driving classes, practical tests. It takes almost a month to obtain a license to drive. They make it so damn difficult. I wonder why the test is so easy here and driving so difficult & the other way around in a developed country????
Its Ironical is what it is. Sigh!
Driving a car in India is very difficult. You have to look forward, keep checking the rear-view mirror, keep correcting the side view mirror angles as the bikers somehow keep banging into them, try keeping your car at a safe distance in traffic, avoid driving close to Autorickshaws and Buses and many such judgement calls. There are just three rules to drive; Stop at Traffic Signals, Try not to use cellphones while driving & Don't Park in a no parking zone. For me it is like meditation, because when i am driving i cant allow any thoughts in my head else will end up with a huge dent on the doors of my car. Its also a good anxiety buster, I always tell my friends that whenever one is feeling anxious; one should just go for a drive. It sure will distract you enough to ease your worrisome feelings about an important meeting the next day or about your job interview results.
The most ironic part about driving in India is the driving test. I was just asked to make an '8' in a an already made track without any traffic or trucks & buses to dodge. It almost made me laugh. I passed and made an '8' and got my driving license in three working days.
Whereas, in a first world country driving is so easy. There are so many rules but still driving feels like a piece of cake that does get monotonous after a while. There are no potholes to look for, no judgement calls about Autorickshaw that would take a sharp turn out of the blue or the holy Cow that will decide to sprawl on half of the road. Adrenaline free driving. Almost boring from my paradigm.
But the driving tests, OMG! There are theory classes, practical classes, theoretical tests, Night driving classes, practical tests. It takes almost a month to obtain a license to drive. They make it so damn difficult. I wonder why the test is so easy here and driving so difficult & the other way around in a developed country????
Its Ironical is what it is. Sigh!
