India series, Part 4: When you overtake an elephant on the highway, be sure to pass on the right; birthday remembrance; In Wasilla, pass "oversize" on the lef
Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 9:57PM ;)
When you see an elephant going down the road ahead of you in India, you must remember to pass it on the right. This is because, just like in the UK, people in India drive on the left hand side of the road. This is true whether they are driving cars, motorbikes, auto rics, trucks, elephants, camels or monkeys.
Actually, I have never seen or heard of anyone driving a monkey in India, but that doesn't mean it has never happened or never will happen. If it does, then, for sure, they would drive the monkey on the left-hand side of the road.
Well, maybe I shouldn't say "for sure." One thing that I have noticed in India is that even though people drive on the left, it is not uncommon for someone to decide it suits them better to drive on the right and then, sure enough, you will see them coming straight at you, driving down their right hand side of the road, which is of course your left and left is just where you are.
In at least one such incident after Sandy's wedding in 2009, I thought certain death was coming straight at us - Melanie, Vasanthi, Murthy, Buddy, our driver, and me - but death missed by a hair. No elephant was involved. Just people and machines.
;)
But, generally, they drive on the left, as they do here.
As Soundarya so dearly loved animals, I think this is a good time to note that today is the 33rd anniversary of her birth. Not April 12 - she was born on April 13, 1979, in India - right now, it is April 13th in India.
Happy birthday, Sandy!
;)
I had not planned to post this little elephant vignette today. I had planned to put up a major post in this series, and I did quite a bit of work on it. Then I took my coffee break, thinking I could finish it up in two hours after I got home, but no sooner had I started back to work on it when my office door flew open and in came Kalib, who had just arrived from Anchorage with his mom, baby brother, and grandma. He wanted me to get the Thomas the Train that Suji gave the family for Christmas out, so that he watch it go 'round the track.
Then some Mormon missionaries knocked on the door and stayed for awhile to visit. After that, I needed a hamburger. I could still finish it, but not until late, because I am certain that two hours I had anticipated would turn into four and I am drained. I am just drained.
So I decided to finish it tomorrow, and today go for the elephant Vignette instead.
Now, I am just too drained to finish it, so I will finish it tomorrow.
;)
Of course, if you are driving in Wasilla and you see a cowboy hat going down the road - be sure to pass on the left. In Wasilla, we drive on the right side of the road.
The cowboy, by the way, is named Bill. Sometimes when I am out walking and he is plowing the road, he will stop for a few seconds to say "hi."
;)
I'm not sure why Bill was plowing snow. There is still snow here but it is melting fast and as near as I can tell, there is none left on the pavement - certainly not enough to plow.
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Reader Comments (1)
Now, Bill Hess, you know very well that at that moment Kalib and Thomas the Train were much more important than anything else in your life could possibly be. That's the truth. What a life!! When he's older he will read about your life and be very proud.