There are five (5) ways cities are internationally ranked by size, and when it comes to population within an actual city limit, Mumbai is #2 at 20.5 million. 10 million of which are out driving at any given time, and 9.9 million that are honking their horns continuously. This place makes Buenos Aries driving look like a Seniors' parade (which it is, see below).
One of the most popular form of transit is the three-wheeled motorized rickshaw, which is part golf cart, part go kart, and part kid's ride at at an amusement park. Izzy and Maddie really love them and we were actually racing around in two today while the drivers tried to pass each other in strangulated traffic! It went from scary to hilarious in a matter of minutes. It reminded me of what Jerry Sienfield said about riding in NYC taxi's: "You're in the back seat, but its like watching a movie. And you're thinking to yourself, boy, that looks dangerous, I wouldn't try that in my car. And; Well, the man must know what he's doing; he is, after all, a professional".
The craziness of traffic cannot be described unless you have experienced it for yourself. Our friend Scott Chafin warned us, and said he first reaction when being driven around in India, was, "Aaaarrrgggghhhhhh!". And then his second, "Aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhhh!". Although statistically, according to the World Health Organization, it only ranks 77th worst out of 192 (and in the moderate category), whereas Ethiopia ranks 17th worst (and in the high danger category), while the U.S. at #107th worst, and Argentina a very safe #121 worst. Check out the rankings at: http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/road-traffic-accidents/by-country/.
So, research shows that this craziness with drivers missing each other by a matter of an inch or two is not all that particularly dangerous, and you can actually sense it a little, so you just relax and go with it. Although I cannot image what an actual accident would do to already permanently snarled traffic. :O
Oh, and the cost? About $1 USD for every 10-minutes of improbable accident avoidance. And at that price, it just might be the best thrill-ride value ever.
- Mike
Forget roller coasters, were taking a rickshaw! Like my dad said, rickshaws are awesome. It's half taxi, half Six Flags ride.
Me and my Mom were in one rickshaw today, while Izzy and my Dad were in the other. It was like go carts. Me and my Mom's rickshaw kept getting in front of Izzy and my Dad's every time they tried to go in front. There's a bunch of bumps in the road so so bounce around all the time and it's really fun.
So if your ever in India, you HAVE to take a rickshaw ride.
- Maddy
One of the most popular form of transit is the three-wheeled motorized rickshaw, which is part golf cart, part go kart, and part kid's ride at at an amusement park. Izzy and Maddie really love them and we were actually racing around in two today while the drivers tried to pass each other in strangulated traffic! It went from scary to hilarious in a matter of minutes. It reminded me of what Jerry Sienfield said about riding in NYC taxi's: "You're in the back seat, but its like watching a movie. And you're thinking to yourself, boy, that looks dangerous, I wouldn't try that in my car. And; Well, the man must know what he's doing; he is, after all, a professional".
The craziness of traffic cannot be described unless you have experienced it for yourself. Our friend Scott Chafin warned us, and said he first reaction when being driven around in India, was, "Aaaarrrgggghhhhhh!". And then his second, "Aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhhh!". Although statistically, according to the World Health Organization, it only ranks 77th worst out of 192 (and in the moderate category), whereas Ethiopia ranks 17th worst (and in the high danger category), while the U.S. at #107th worst, and Argentina a very safe #121 worst. Check out the rankings at: http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/road-traffic-accidents/by-country/.
So, research shows that this craziness with drivers missing each other by a matter of an inch or two is not all that particularly dangerous, and you can actually sense it a little, so you just relax and go with it. Although I cannot image what an actual accident would do to already permanently snarled traffic. :O
Oh, and the cost? About $1 USD for every 10-minutes of improbable accident avoidance. And at that price, it just might be the best thrill-ride value ever.
- Mike
Forget roller coasters, were taking a rickshaw! Like my dad said, rickshaws are awesome. It's half taxi, half Six Flags ride.
Me and my Mom were in one rickshaw today, while Izzy and my Dad were in the other. It was like go carts. Me and my Mom's rickshaw kept getting in front of Izzy and my Dad's every time they tried to go in front. There's a bunch of bumps in the road so so bounce around all the time and it's really fun.
So if your ever in India, you HAVE to take a rickshaw ride.
- Maddy
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