On December 1, 2016, we took an overnight flight to Delhi, India. The following is an overview, our attempt to share some of the highlights of the trip. It had been a last minute decision to book a 16-day tour with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). Not used to traveling in a group, we had some trepidation. But the size of the group was small (15 of us) and it was diverse in age, gender, race, and politics, making for interesting conversations on the long bus rides. Most important we had a fantastic group leader, Raj, who kept us informed, moving, and safe. Not that India is dangerous. But crossing the streets are incredibly challenging.  So let’s begin with a look at the way folks in India move themselves, their families and goods from place to place.

Street scene in Delhi. Quote from Raj: “The assumption of immortality is required of all road users. To slow is to falter, to brake is to fail, to stop is defeat. This is the Indian driver’s mantra.”

Delhi. The traffic police have a futile task. Traffic rules seem to be mere suggestions.  Respiratory masks are essential with air pollution indexes in Indian cities being among the highest in the world.

Varanasi.  Motorcycles and scooters are the most popular form of travel in the cities. Piling on as many people as possible is an art. The motorized Rickshaws, called Tuk Tuks, are the most popular type of cabs.

Varanasi. A family of four on a rickshaw.

In descending order, give way to cows, elephants, camels, buffalo, pigs, goats, dogs, heavy trucks, buses, official cars, pedal rickshaws, private cars, motorcycles, scooters, auto-rickshaws, hand carts and pedestrians.

In the agrarian villages (This one in Ranthambore), the jalopy is a favorite form of transportation for produce, farm equipment, and farm workers.

Varanasi. It was night time and this old man was pushing his bicycle piled with a heavy load through the traffic.

You have to expect everything and anything like getting caught in this enormous march in Agra, celebrating Barah Bafat, the birth and death day of the Muslim Prophet Mohammad Sayid.

Auto and motor cyle repair shops do a lively business. You will see thousands of these little repair shops throughout the cities.

A sign of modern times. An Uber driver.

Walkers have to be brave and have faith. The first person or vehicle into an open lane has the right of way. Seeing five lanes of traffic where two are intended is quite common.

Ranthambore. Women in their saris on their way to work in the fields.