Scattered Impressions
On our second night, we gathered in the hotel bar to give our first “impressions” of India. You can consider the rather random statement below as if they had quotation marks around them, because they are the thoughts expressed by members of our group.
It was surreal flying over land that is just 50 miles east of Baghdad. The plane avoided both Israeli and Syrian airspace, although not sure if that was on purpose.
I have a new appreciation of parents who fly with babies. Lots of crying and sore ears, especially on take-off and landing.
Interesting to be on a plane where part of the pre-take-off instructions included telling people to remain seated for prayer.
I’m so glad we’re not driving in India! Lane stripes and stop signs are only suggestions here!
The constant horn honking. I can imagine that the horns are having conversations, because after a while, they become like background chatter: “Hello there!” “Sorry to hear your husband is sick.” “Congratulations! Your daughter got into medical school.” The traffic horns are not sounded in anger most of the time - but seem to be of a type of cultural cooperation of the road. They mostly signal “I’m here or I’m coming! Pay attention!”
Piles of garbage everywhere. Everywhere there are buildings that have been abandoned or are half-built. It is as though people just pick up and move when they need to, leaving the buildings empty.
So strange to have to weave around cows, goats, chickens, dogs and cats roaming free all over the city and in the rural areas as well.
The people are very polite and employ a sort of “bobble head” head bob which serves to answer both “yes” and “no”, thereby leaving all options open. Everyone we have met has been helpful and welcoming.
More impressions coming in a later post.
It was surreal flying over land that is just 50 miles east of Baghdad. The plane avoided both Israeli and Syrian airspace, although not sure if that was on purpose.
I have a new appreciation of parents who fly with babies. Lots of crying and sore ears, especially on take-off and landing.
Interesting to be on a plane where part of the pre-take-off instructions included telling people to remain seated for prayer.
I’m so glad we’re not driving in India! Lane stripes and stop signs are only suggestions here!
The constant horn honking. I can imagine that the horns are having conversations, because after a while, they become like background chatter: “Hello there!” “Sorry to hear your husband is sick.” “Congratulations! Your daughter got into medical school.” The traffic horns are not sounded in anger most of the time - but seem to be of a type of cultural cooperation of the road. They mostly signal “I’m here or I’m coming! Pay attention!”
Piles of garbage everywhere. Everywhere there are buildings that have been abandoned or are half-built. It is as though people just pick up and move when they need to, leaving the buildings empty.
So strange to have to weave around cows, goats, chickens, dogs and cats roaming free all over the city and in the rural areas as well.
More impressions coming in a later post.
Thanks for sharing. It was like that in '95. Loved the Horn Conversations!
ReplyDeleteGod be with you all.