Care for a drive in Hyderabad?

I consider myself a safe driver-honestly. In the very beginning, just to be sure I wouldn't run into anyone I drove consistently at 20kmph. That was until my mother told me, "Darling, I really don’t see the use of driving a car when you're going to go at that speed." Hmmm...she did have a point there…so I moved on to about 40kmph. Of course it's getting much faster now that I’m getting the hang of it (Dad, please don't read this!) .

I do not overtake, because I was specifically instructed not to when I was taught and I do not shift lanes randomly (except for a rare now and then perhaps ;-) ). Moreover, my fastest reflex is braking- I can brake anytime, anyhow and anywhere. I've learnt a little bit of swearing along the way too (it helps in the slightly tight situations). So I really do believe my driving to be rather safe. However, I cannot assure you either a completely safe or happy journey- only because I drive in Hyderabad.

Right from the parking to the navigating, driving in Hyderabad is a unique experience- one of a kind! To begin with, because of the utter lack of space and the slightly inconsiderate parking of the bigger cars, my poor blue little car has to be parked at an awkward 45° between a concrete pillar and the bumper of another car. After a right, left and another right reverse, we're finally out. Out of the gate, and into a bus stop that is. A lot of arduous honking later, you finally make your presence felt to the great many people who, oblivious to the perils that you may pose to them, slowly and reluctantly disperse.

Then comes the tricky part- multitasking between the bumpy roads, whizzing autowalas and the buswalas who forget- intentionally- their huge size, and compete with the autowalas at whizzing between the cars. I strongly suspect that the autowalas fancy themselves as some kind of heroes or Formula One champs, hence, the rules of the road obviously don't apply to them. (Sigh)

The motorists try playing smart by utilizing every direction they find available. And the pedestrians, well of course, they don’t fear for their lives-"Police toh carwale ko hi pakadh ti hai na!" So they prance- literally- across the streets. And there I am- in the middle of them all- still trying to learn and appreciate the art of navigating in Hyderabadi traffic- and pondering on one of life's greatest mysteries - "Whoever would have issued licenses to All these people !?"