Sunday, January 15, 2012

Mellow Yellow Monday #156 - Mumbai Auto Rickshaws - January 16, 2012


According to Wikipedia, "An auto rickshaw is generally characterized 
by a sheet-metal body or open frame resting on three wheels, a canvas 
roof with drop-down sides, a small cabin in the front of the vehicle for the 
driver (sometimes called an auto-wallah), and seating space for up to
 three passengers in the rear. Newer models are generally fitted with 
an CNG-fueled scooter version of a 200cc four-stroke engine, with 
handlebar controls instead of a steering wheel".

They are used as a means of transportation in many parts of the world  
My experiences, especially in Thailand and India, have been a bit 
terrifying because of the overwhelming traffic.  In Mumbai, these 
open sided vehicles vie with other auto rickshaws - and motorcyles, 
buses, and cars for road space, often merging from several lanes 
into one and are  literally, inches apart from the next one. Horns 
blare and tempers flare and I just hold on for dear life, grasping
my purse and whatever belongings I have with me ( with the open 
sides, anyone can reach in and snatch my purse from the death grip 
of my hands ).  Somehow, I must be getting used to the adventure, 
however, because I find I can actually glance at the newspaper now, 
when on my merry way and, if it isn't rush hour when I wish I had on a 
motorcycle helmet and leather from head to toe, I might even finish 
an article!!  







I am participating in Mellow Yellow Monday - add your
bit of cheery yellow and join in the fun.





16 comments:

  1. lovely ode to the deadly 3 wheeler!

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    1. You've lived with them a lot longer than me....and you, bravely, drive a car in this traffic!!! I wonder what insurance rates are like here.

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  2. India reminds me of the Philippines a little bit. Thanks for visiting Carmen.

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  3. Love these auto-rickshaw. They're great in traffic jams and I enjoyed helping the driver honk like crazy!

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  4. what a nice ride to try. we had that similar here without the the cavin in front and the wheels are larger than those. we called it tricycle.

    hope you can stop by also,

    http://point-shoot-vhen.blogspot.com/2012/01/366-49-50.html

    thanks!

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  5. How very interesting!! I learned a whole lot, thanks to you and your post.

    HIDDEN TREASURES @ the Botanical Gardens

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  6. We have transportation similar like these ^_^ We call is tricycle or Motorila ^_^

    Yellow Sunset

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  7. ours is called tricycle, it looks a bit different but the same concept.:p

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  8. That's awesome looking motor ride! I'm glad you still enjoying your stay there!

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  9. Traffic in a lot of the world is terrifying. Those look really precarious, let alone vying with other vehicles. My friend Ellen leaves for India in two days. She'll be there a month.

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  10. You simply bring back my old memory.

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  11. looks a little bit different but similar concept to our tricycle in the Philippines, Carmen, I used to do "trisikad" for fun and for extra money when I was younger :)

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  12. very cool rides, we almost have like that back in the Philippines :-) Visiting from Mellow Yellow Monday, hope that you can return the visit too.

    http://www.adventurousjessy.com/2012/01/the-rink-guard-in-his-yellow-shirt.html

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  13. Those have three wheels? Looks like fun to ride on:)

    Visiting for MYM!Here's my share-hope you can visit:)

    http://www.mommys4seasonsjourney.com/2012/01/mango-juice-and-strawberry-banana-smoothies.html

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  14. Hold on for dear life is right! I yiyi, the streets sound scary to me.
    Safe travels, xo jj

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    ReplyDelete