It was nice to be holding the steering wheel again after a gap of some 6 to 7 months. I was a little apprehensive about driving on these roads initially, the main reason being the wheel positioned to the left side of the vehicle. But it turned out to be a not so difficult exercise. I could manage it, and could do it pretty well.
The rules are there mainly for helping people. Ironically, it was these rules that posed a certain degree of difficulty today. Mostly because I was born, brought up and had my first driving lessons in a land where people never care about rules and laws. I believe anybody from my background would find it a bit uneasy to be forced by rules to stop at just a stop sign, since back in their homeland, they don't stop even in the presence of traffic police if they have a chance. Evading law has become our principle. We feel it a shame to abide by the laws and regulations of our own country, but in a foreign land, we are left with no choice. The rules are strict here.
There was one similarty though. It was the attitude and temper of the instructor.... ha ha... These guys want their students to be Mr Perfect right from the take one. The moment you sit behind the wheel, you are expected to be an expert and drive with perfection. I have had enough of this irritating experience during my initial driving classes back in India, because of which I did not have to go through the same ordeal again this time.
Today I had a chance to come across an article titled 'Cruel Punctuality' posted by the popular traveller Mr Santhosh George Kulangara in his website.. He was throwing some light on the punctuality of westerners and how it turns out to be 'cruel' in our views. It made me think how long still we have to keep waiting to acquire these basic qualities that make up our lives organized and disciplined. How far are we Indians behind the west in almost every single quality that goes into nation building. May be a few hundred years seemed an obvious answer.
It is almost 12 AM. Tomorrow is another day and another hectic schedule begins. Have to take some rest now. Time to collapse on the bed.
The rules are there mainly for helping people. Ironically, it was these rules that posed a certain degree of difficulty today. Mostly because I was born, brought up and had my first driving lessons in a land where people never care about rules and laws. I believe anybody from my background would find it a bit uneasy to be forced by rules to stop at just a stop sign, since back in their homeland, they don't stop even in the presence of traffic police if they have a chance. Evading law has become our principle. We feel it a shame to abide by the laws and regulations of our own country, but in a foreign land, we are left with no choice. The rules are strict here.
There was one similarty though. It was the attitude and temper of the instructor.... ha ha... These guys want their students to be Mr Perfect right from the take one. The moment you sit behind the wheel, you are expected to be an expert and drive with perfection. I have had enough of this irritating experience during my initial driving classes back in India, because of which I did not have to go through the same ordeal again this time.
Today I had a chance to come across an article titled 'Cruel Punctuality' posted by the popular traveller Mr Santhosh George Kulangara in his website.. He was throwing some light on the punctuality of westerners and how it turns out to be 'cruel' in our views. It made me think how long still we have to keep waiting to acquire these basic qualities that make up our lives organized and disciplined. How far are we Indians behind the west in almost every single quality that goes into nation building. May be a few hundred years seemed an obvious answer.
It is almost 12 AM. Tomorrow is another day and another hectic schedule begins. Have to take some rest now. Time to collapse on the bed.
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