Back to India Stories...(Transportation)

It takes part of our normal lives the usage of transportation means to go to one place to another, to go to the school, to the doctor, to the bank, to work, to nightclubs, to shopping malls... ok, I think you got my point, we are nomads, without wheels our lifestyle wouldn't allow us to be so dynamic, visit so many different places in short time, and so on.

I remember back at school when my teacher taught me about the invention of the wheels, and the different kind of transportation the man has used since ever, but I would never thoought there was a place in this world where in OUR times you could experienced the whole evolution by yourself.

Yes, that place is India of course!!



Camels: Ancient civilizations used camels because they could go a long way without water, food, and rests. Plus they could carry heavy loads on their backs. I guess this reasons still apply in India, as it is so common to find them in the middle of the street, pulling carts, carrying people or anything you can imagine.

Rickshaws, they consist in some kind of wagon moved by cycles or bikes, and an expert driver. This should be the evolution of the horse driven carriage.
They are common anywhere from big and "modern" cities as Delhi until small towns and villages.
This is not definetely an easy job in India a rickshaw as the one I am taking in this picture can take up to 4-5 people, yes, imagine 4-5 peole in this small thing, and driven by one regular, not-super man guy, can you? well now add 45 Celsius degrees! no man... that is just too much!


Some Rickshaws I saw in Jaipur have electronic meter, however no one use them! apparently they have it installed by law, but people are not interested in changing their negociation opportunities fore fixed "fair" fares.
Maybe installing side mirrors would be something more effective, as most of them don't have them. I have to admit that riding an autorickshaw can be so much fun, but it is for sure an extreme experience, you never know when the car behind is going to overcome you, not even from what side it will come from, because although people should drive to the left of the street this is more an option for drivers than the rule, in reality they drive to the left, rigth, middle... wherever they can fit their cars into.

In a country where the only written rule is HORN PLEASE, it is surprising to see how cows, donkeys, pigs, dogs, camels, rickshaws, cars, buses, trucks and people can be in the same street without being in the wrong place.

Welcome to INCREDIBLE India!