The first day in Pune (Feb 5th) was pretty uneventful. For the most part, we (my dad, cousin, her husband, and I) just stayed in the apartment. We did venture out for an hour to take care of some errands. As simple as this may sound, it was actually a little bit frightening.
Although I have made several trips to India (the most recent being around 2.5 years ago), I always have to go through a re-adjustment period. This time, I haven't had too difficult of a time adjusting to the climate - the weather here has been very pleasant (unlike previous summer visits where stepping out of an AC room into the full sun makes you hair frizz out and makes it necessary to have multiple outfits in one day).
But during our mini-outing in Pune, I felt like I was thrown into the middle of chaos. Of course, after returning to that area the next day, I realized that it really wasn't that bad.
But for someone who is used to sidewalks, and traffic rules that are followed (and of course, driving on the other side of the road), it can be quite a shock. 2-wheelers, autos (auto-rickshaws), cars, etc all going wherever they need to go. You really have to look all around you as you walk, to make sure you dont end up in someone else's path. Chances that anything will happen are actually quite slim though, because people here are not hesitant to use their horns.
By now, I am a litlle (only slightly) more used to the traffic (although walking is still a bit of a nightmare). But that day, I was literally attached to my cousin the entire time. It's a really good thing that she and I get along so well :)
Here's my first picture in Pune, from a stairwell in the apartment building:
hurray for colorful buildings!
Although I have made several trips to India (the most recent being around 2.5 years ago), I always have to go through a re-adjustment period. This time, I haven't had too difficult of a time adjusting to the climate - the weather here has been very pleasant (unlike previous summer visits where stepping out of an AC room into the full sun makes you hair frizz out and makes it necessary to have multiple outfits in one day).
But during our mini-outing in Pune, I felt like I was thrown into the middle of chaos. Of course, after returning to that area the next day, I realized that it really wasn't that bad.
But for someone who is used to sidewalks, and traffic rules that are followed (and of course, driving on the other side of the road), it can be quite a shock. 2-wheelers, autos (auto-rickshaws), cars, etc all going wherever they need to go. You really have to look all around you as you walk, to make sure you dont end up in someone else's path. Chances that anything will happen are actually quite slim though, because people here are not hesitant to use their horns.
By now, I am a litlle (only slightly) more used to the traffic (although walking is still a bit of a nightmare). But that day, I was literally attached to my cousin the entire time. It's a really good thing that she and I get along so well :)
Here's my first picture in Pune, from a stairwell in the apartment building:
hurray for colorful buildings!
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