Indian Samurai इंडियन सामुराई

For those who follow, I have been driving since June.

I have become expert in overtaking these bloody cycle-rickshaws but I still get a shock when the car in front of me suddenly pulls out and I find myself face to face with a cow, or a zebu, quite numerous in my industrial area.

My car is my freedom. I love it. I love driving. But more than that, it was quite necessary in such a big and spread city as Delhi. Here you get space (compared to Mumbai) but the price for it is that there are not too many things at leg’s reach.

But my car has also brought its share of hassles. Firstly you need to wash it every day otherwise you don’t recognize it. For instance, I have not been washing the roof of it for some time and it looks like it is wearing a white wig. Classy… Obviously, no one washes their car themselves – for 8 euros (500 rupees), anyone can do it for you. But I haven’t taken the time to look for someone and beside I like this intimate moment with my car. Except that it usually happens that I am in a rush and well-dressed when I have to wash it…

Small other hassles are there, like when an asshole flattens your tires regularly… The first time it happened, I didn’t realize I had a flat tire. A colleague of mine had to tell me. Alright, I had realized that there was something wrong, could just not figure out what exactly. So what do you do with a punctured tire in India huh?? Since I am a girl and quite tired, I would have liked to sit and cry like if the world had collapsed.

But a colleague of mine and our watchman took care of it and changed the tire. Then I went to the petrol pump but they didn’t deal in tires. They told me about a place that seemed very far – no change I would ever find it. So I listened to my conscience and went to the petrol pump next door. And here he was, the tire walla!

I was a bit ashamed to see a twelve year old change my tire in the dark night but he did it very well! It’s okay if I am not good at everything… He could not find a puncture and put back the tire. All this for 30 rupees (less than half a euro).

The next morning, the other tire was flat. I just went back to the tire shop and he took care of it. I go back regularly since I haven’t found out who does this…

And the best part of the story is that I take things with philosophy. I think six years ago, I would have blown a fuse and made a big scandal in the neighborhood.  Now I just go to the tire walla…

 

 

Four days after I got my vehicle, I had a dinner with a client in Bab-el-Oued (more than 20 kilometers from my place). And at night. And everyone telling me that it is not safe in Delhi (not safe for a girl to drive, not safe to drive at night because of the drunks who drive crazy).

 

Blessed be my Blackberry and Google Map! I arrived at my destination safely, and only 9 minutes late. Well, when I say my destination, I mean I reached the area of my destination. And when I was dialing my colleague’s number, my battery died… Oh f... And what am I gonna do now? I turn around for 20 minutes, hoping to find the restaurant by miracle. To no avail. I thus think to go back home but it would mean leaving my customer waiting for one more hour before informing him that I was cancelling and it is really not done!

 

On top of everything, it is past 8 PM, all the stores are closed...

I find a well lit electronics shop. I break like mad and park like a Parisian, enter and ask for a Blackberry charger. They show me a store opposite the road. I can’t find it. I go back to the store. I must look desperate, shaking my phone and my car keys because they offer me a seat and a charger!

I therefore spent the following twenty minutes waiting for my colleague watching Rocky on TV with the store guys that probably closed late that day just for me!

 

This is why! This is why I like the India.

Once upon a time I decided to stop struggling (like walking for half an hour in the industrial area / open air loo when there is a strike, waiting for half an hour under 45 degrees because the rickshaws are full etc.) and to buy a car. Yaaay! A car! 

 

Once I had explored the various options of cars in my budget, I went to the showrooms. And there, I was offered to try the car! Whaaat? What do you mean? What for? Oh! You think I'm gonna drive the car myself?? You’re maaad! I don't know driving on the left hand side to start with and secondly have you seen the traffic?

The sales guy probably understood nothing of my protests and simply gave me the keys and sat in the passenger seat. Well, if you take it like that my friend, let’s go!! But don’t complain if I break it okay?

 

I was so energized by this crazy adventure, that I did not only drive one car but two! And without any accident!

 

Then I decided on the car, paid etc.

 

And one day, I had to pick it up. Past the ceremonial of the signatures, a guy asks me if I want a swastik (the Hindu cross). I hesitate for a second, it would be funny to see the car pooja (ceremony) but if it takes too long I will be stuck in the traffic and since this is the first time I am driving alone, not such a good idea...

I did not escape taking photo with my vehicle (immediately printed and framed, I kid you not), flowers and caramels. I am a little disappointed they did not sing the song (see the checklist of delivery below)...

 

 

The drive back home went well... Apart from when I had to make a u-turn and the steering wheel started to swing from top to bottom... Ooooops... And also when I had to remove the key (there was a small feint)...

I did so well that I now hesitate to take a driver! If the Indians can drive, so can I! (No offense here, in India you can buy your driving license, no need to know how to drive…)

 

And in the next morning, I hesitated a lot between going back to my rickshaw stand or driving. But like when you buy new clothes you are not sure of, it is better to wear them immediately. So I drove!!