Traffic is something else in India. For one, everyone drives on the wrong side of the road, and the driving wheel is on the wrong side of the car. Secondly, all of the main roads have anywhere from 2 to 4 lanes; however, these few lanes become lanes of 5 to 7 as a result of small vehicles and people trying to quickly weave their way out of traffic.
Although there are some cars in Baroda and many motorcyles, the majority of traffic in Baroda is public, consisting of buses and rickshaws. You have to heckle your way into both of these. Rickshaws in particular are a hassle, as it seems every rickshaw driver's goal is to screw. They try to overcharge you, and even when you point out their nonsense, they sometimes try to get you to pay them a slightly lower overcharged rate. It's a good thing I speak Gujurati, as rickshaw drivers try even harder to exploit Rachel, Andy, and other only English speaking international interns. Although each rickshaw comes with a meter, the drivers here do their best not to drive you using these, as they would be receive less money. Unless you are lucky, only after of minutes of arguing and/or heckling with the rickshaw driver will you get a fair rate like that which the meter would charge you. Trying to hail down rickshaws to take you from place to place at a fair rate is perhaps the most agitating part of my experience thus far.
The noise made by vehicles honking in India is unparallel to anywhere else in the world I have ever been. Honks for one are not uniform. Bicyclers have bells, and rickshaws have horns ranging from a low squak to a high squeak. Cars usually have low pitched horns, motorcycles higher pitched, and bus horns include what sounds like a elephant under duress (among other strange noises).
Traffic lights in Baroda are few and far between, but those that are in place are ignored. There are many traffic circles here, where vehicles will meet loudly and then slowly make their way in the appropriate direction. Driving into oncoming traffic (on the same side of the road as traffic going the other way) is also not uncommon here, although you will be honked at.
Pedestrians can cross the street at their own will (danger). Vehicles will not stop for you, but they will slow down and honk at you if you get close to them as you are crossing the street. If you are even slightly hesitant, do not/wait to cross the street here.
Cows reign supreme here. They poop and pee wherever they please. They cross the street whenever they want, and traffic accommodates to them. Just the other day on my way to work, a herd of them were in the middle of the main road; all vehicles were at a standstill beeping at them for about five minutes until they finally walked across. I've learned that if you shout "Gae, gae, gae" (sounds like guy, guy, guy, and means cow, cow, cow), cows will look and maybe come your way.
Although there are some cars in Baroda and many motorcyles, the majority of traffic in Baroda is public, consisting of buses and rickshaws. You have to heckle your way into both of these. Rickshaws in particular are a hassle, as it seems every rickshaw driver's goal is to screw. They try to overcharge you, and even when you point out their nonsense, they sometimes try to get you to pay them a slightly lower overcharged rate. It's a good thing I speak Gujurati, as rickshaw drivers try even harder to exploit Rachel, Andy, and other only English speaking international interns. Although each rickshaw comes with a meter, the drivers here do their best not to drive you using these, as they would be receive less money. Unless you are lucky, only after of minutes of arguing and/or heckling with the rickshaw driver will you get a fair rate like that which the meter would charge you. Trying to hail down rickshaws to take you from place to place at a fair rate is perhaps the most agitating part of my experience thus far.
The noise made by vehicles honking in India is unparallel to anywhere else in the world I have ever been. Honks for one are not uniform. Bicyclers have bells, and rickshaws have horns ranging from a low squak to a high squeak. Cars usually have low pitched horns, motorcycles higher pitched, and bus horns include what sounds like a elephant under duress (among other strange noises).
Traffic lights in Baroda are few and far between, but those that are in place are ignored. There are many traffic circles here, where vehicles will meet loudly and then slowly make their way in the appropriate direction. Driving into oncoming traffic (on the same side of the road as traffic going the other way) is also not uncommon here, although you will be honked at.
Pedestrians can cross the street at their own will (danger). Vehicles will not stop for you, but they will slow down and honk at you if you get close to them as you are crossing the street. If you are even slightly hesitant, do not/wait to cross the street here.
Cows reign supreme here. They poop and pee wherever they please. They cross the street whenever they want, and traffic accommodates to them. Just the other day on my way to work, a herd of them were in the middle of the main road; all vehicles were at a standstill beeping at them for about five minutes until they finally walked across. I've learned that if you shout "Gae, gae, gae" (sounds like guy, guy, guy, and means cow, cow, cow), cows will look and maybe come your way.
