The Auto Rickshaw and Me - August 25, 2013

The little auto rickshaw,

That I use most every day

Instills in me great fear,

I won’t live another day.

On Mumbai’s crowded streets,

Where twenty million thrive,

They whiz in and out of traffic,

Like a creature that’s alive.

Black and yellow vehicles,

That hold just two or three,

Will never be the ride of choice,

For a coward such as me.

Their little putt putt engine,

Strains with all its might,

To see them out in numbers,

Is really quite a sight.

They are mostly open air,

Which can truly be a pain,

At certain times of year,

When there is monsoon rain.

They really are quite daring,

Darting all about,

Stopping inches from the car ahead,

While I suppress a shout.

They don’t possess a seat belt,

So you have to hold on tight,

My fingers have indentions,

Where I’ve gripped with all my might.

The local folks seem quite at ease,

More relaxed, than me, by far.

I feel like I’m at a carnival,

Riding in a dodge ‘em car!

The drivers are kamikazes,

Who won’t admit defeat,

As they steer their little vehicles,

Usually driving in bare feet!

I think they get great pleasure,

Seeing panic in my eyes,

But I am slowly overcoming it,

Much to my surpise.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright © August 25, 2013 by Carmen Henesy. All Rights Reserved.

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.

Flash 55 Friday - Things That Go Bump in the Night - October 29, 2010

Flash 55 Friday - Things That Go Bump in the Night - October 29, 2010

Things that go bump in the night,

Really give me a fright,

I'd rather be home and not seen,

And go candyless on Halloween.

There'll be be witches and goblins about,

Doing all sorts of evil, no doubt,

I'm afraid I'd fall under their spell,

And plunge my lilly white soul into hell!

Poor me!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c)  Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved. 

I'm participating in Flash 55 Friday, brainchild of G-Man aka Mr. Know-it-all.

Congratulations, GIANTS, you did it again! 

Keep it up in Texas!