Postcard 2: Indian roads

Hello Rachid,

From the time you have told me you were planning to go to India, I have been afraid something bad might happen to you. You are now gone for two months and I haven’t heard the slightest. I hope you are well and are enjoying yourself.

Apart from this chitchat I also want to warn you one more time. I have just read a article about someone taking a bus from Goa to Bombay. He could have taken the plane or train, but they were out, so he had the choice between bus and hovercraft. By hovercraft was far more expensive, so he took the bus like you would do. He wished after the trip by bus he had not.

He paid eight dollar instead of 5,50 to have air conditioning which did not work. When out of Goa, the bus drove along a ‘highway’ which was barely a normal tarmac road. Single lane each way and when another bus or truck had to pass the bus in opposite direction, it had to be done very carefully.

In villages along the way this got even worse. The speed went down to walking speed, because of all the other people and animals who wanted to use the road. They made sure the driver had to drive very carefully and even at night there were people on the road The bus was hot and swerving every way as the driver avoided other road users. A good night sleep was not an option.

After leaving behind the lowlands, the bus headed into the mountains. Now the real ‘exciting’ part begins. The drivers manoeuvres the bus up and down the mountain roads in the pitch black night while avoiding upcoming busses and cars. To make matters worse the bus drivers going to Bombay raced each other, passing each other on those narrow roads. I must say that the bus driver switched with his co-driver half way past the night, but still.

The bus could have gone over the edge of the mountain road or hit an upcoming vehicle every few minutes. Of course it did not or I would not be telling you this story, but the danger on this bus trip was very real! You would say that THIS IS the proof that India is not dangerous, but please watch out for bad food, sharks, bad people in general and busses.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Your worried friend Mark