ghs1974 - India2005

In february 2005 I (Grant) went to India on a business trip. I was able to visit some of the sights, including the incredible Taj Mahal. You can see some more of my photos.

Some Sights and Sounds of India

Driving is aggressive and disorganized but cooperative and communicative
Roads overflowing with cars, motorbikes, bikes, pedestrians, cows, tractors, ox carts, busses, auto-rickshaws, trucks, tiny cars, SUV's, hand carts
Car and bike horns speaking and rippling through the streets
Driving and walking to the left side
Oncoming vehicles expand to fill the road in either direction with no dividing line
Cows freely wandering the road sides
Driving is an insane video game, but nobody touches
Women in colorful flowing gowns on the backs of motorbikes
Putt-putt sound of the 2-stroke 3-wheel taxis which have no taillights at night
Honda City is a luxury car; a Tata is the local brand; a Hyundai is very nice
"Round abouts" in Delhi intersections
A film of driving through the city would be very entertaining

Crumbling curbs and walls
Piles of stones and various shades of red dirt for construction
Walls of colors - pink and red
Everything needs repair, or is being repaired
Trash piled by roadsides, thrown from car and bus windows
Shops and vendors everywhere - packed in every corner
Many shades of brown-skinned people everywhere

"Veg or Non-veg" is always the question at meals
The curries are delicious and spicy
Natives eating with their hands
Snack bags which cannot be torn open
Avoid the salads and anything uncooked

Washing my eyes with bottled water - fear of the water
Toilet biscuits in the sinks
The dreaded mosquitos don't seem hungry
Fear of 220 V power - a hotel light switch sizzles

Single adults always live with their parents
Business is professional, but casual - a tie is out of place