My first morning’s commute in Hyderabad
This will be quick because I want to get caught up so I can start posting more realtime.
Traffic is crazy in Hyderabad. Here’s a sample:
OK, you get a bit of the idea. But don’t forget you’re sharing the road with oxen:
An oxcart on the streets of Hyderabad
Horses:
Goats in herds:
Traffic, not even at it's most wild, in Hyderabad
or getting a ride on a moped:
and the occasional camel and wild dog (haven’t had my camera ready at the right moment yet). These can all be found on the way to Microsoft (though for full disclosure many of these were taken driving at other times). Also, less than a mile from Microsoft there are some people in absolutely abject poverty. I didn’t feel comfortable taking their pictures, but I snapped a photo of a dwelling, which gives you a sense of it:
Quite a trip to work. Good thing I have the fearless Mohamed to help get me there safe:
Arrival!
(the end)
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Ah yes - this reminds me of when I was asked if I wanted to drive in rural China. Drive? Sure, I love driving…
Gave up after an hour or so…
October 5th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Yeah, I wouldn’t even try to drive. People just seem to plow ahead when I’d expect them to stop and stop when I expect them to plow ahead. No doubt I’d end up confusing everyone and get into a wreck.
If that’s not frightening enough, do you know what the US State Department recommends you do in the event of an accident on the road? Run. Don’t hang around the scene of the accident and try to find the nearest police station because a violent mob may form.
One of the drivers taking Sarah around actually had a close call with another driver and they pulled onto the side of the road and yelled at each other for a while. Sarah says she just locked her door and tried to look less foreign or maybe more invisible.