Traffic mania

I am finally going to write about the traffic supernova, chaos, whatever you want to name it- all tangled up in a place called India. Let's be specific- most people are aware of how India barely has any traffic regulations, and that the road is a "do as you please" zone, but what I and so many others have experienced doesn't have enough words to describe what was going on.
 I love India, but this traffic issue needs some attention- seriously, dear govt., wake up. What makes me this raved up- the fact that my foot got scrapped by a motorcycle that was trying to cut through while I was on the back of a scooty (mini scooter). I must say I had a pretty fast recovery, because soon as we parked about 2 km from the garba ground, there was non stop walking to the garba ground through the cars, bikes, people, rikshaws, etc. On my way back out, that is when I realized that it is not worth risking so much. The roads need change. People may be accustomed to the chaos and cutting through moving vehicles (be it 4 wheeler car or 2 wheeler bike). I know I have, but I do not like it. Crossing roads ever day is not too bad for me, as I am very used to it, but that does not mean that it is right for there to be NO traffic regulations in the largest garba ground in the world that has about 10,000 people total, if not more... Then the hectic night road that people and vehicles are trying to pass concurrently. I was 2 inches away from a big black car, motorcycles, scooters, rikshaws... the list goes on. Maneuvering through cows, dogs, goats, buffaloes is not too bad though. That I can do well, but these vehicles are dangerous. Most people just want to speed away and not pay too much attention to giving signal or giving someone right of way. That concept is like a small pea that has yet to grow here. To add to the crowd, United Way was so crowded-an understatement. I just felt like I was trying not to bump into people the whole time. The foot that was scrapped by motorcycle was stomped on by random person doing garba. In the crowd, people's feet are stomped on, elbowed, pushed, and so forth. It is quite natural here, but not right by any means. Do garba and enjoy yourself, but watch where you are going. Hard to do with thousands of people, but not impossible.

As much as I love India, garba has its perks in the USA. There is regulation, and proper parking. That doesn't mean I don't like Indian garba, but United Way is just too crowded. Put 1000s times 10 people (mostly youth) in same vicinity, there is bound to be energy swifting in the air like a twister. I still did garba for the whole 2 hours (in USA, we did garba for 4-5 hours) on that foot. Surprisingly, I did not feel pain despite every pit in the sand I danced over or every rock that came under my feet. That is the beauty in a sense that you dance to the music and keep going despite obstacles. That is why I love garba, but I did miss USA garba-the one we have locally every year.

Overall, each place has its own pros and cons. Different things appeal to different people. The woos of garba are wearing off. I think I will only go 2 or 3 more days to garba at United Way. I got to experience garba in India, so I am happy. Contentment is what we decide. Happiness is the result. :)

Being able to do garba in India-and that too, Baroda, is truly a blessing. For me, it really is a dream come true. Everything else is just everything else, but being here during the holidays makes me feel so happy!! 

Eh Kanha oo tanne chahu.... my favorite line ever

"God gives one what they want. Often times, we are looking at something the way we imagined it, but God paints the picture a little differently. That is why we don't realize we have what we wanted. It is a matter of perception. Life is but a mirror that we reflect our thoughts onto." -me