A One Kilometer Drive With Dad

(Halle) We hopped in the back of a military green colored jeep to head to town with mom in the passenger seat and dad driving. As we drove down the bumpy dirt roads of Northern India, all the local kids raced over to greet and high five us. Children jumped with joy when they saw us because tourists are not frequently seen in this village.

Dad questioned, “How hard could it be to drive a jeep through a market?” Well you would think it would be easy but its not. We turned the corner and I could see piles of rocks that had fallen off of houses. Bicycles, motorcycles, and shops lined both sides of the already narrow road. In these stores, people were sewing and mending saris and clothing. Daily packets of shampoo hung from the ceiling of the shops with boxes of fruits, vegetables and spices exhibited decoratively on the ground. Shirts, scarves, belts and Nike bags hung from the ceiling of the shops. Mannequin’s dressed in saris were displayed outside the shops. Small carts on wheels sold fried samosas. Advertisements for phone services like LG and Idea Cellular are plastered on the walls.

The combination of dad driving and the road the size of one lane equalled disaster. Every person in the village stopped what they were doing and stared at us. Animals blocked the road as we past by home made tractors and camel-led carts. A car was headed towards us and there was no possible way that we could pass by each other without bumping into one another. Perplexed and confused, he stepped on the accelerator and came within inches of the other vehicle. He almost hit the pigs scurrying in between the cars. All us worried kids in the back were saying we need a new driver immediately! Meanwhile, a parade of honking vehicles was behind us trying to get around this tourist who had caused a traffic jam. Eventually we managed to get around this car by moving all the motorcycles out of the way.

At last, a more experienced driver took over dad’s spot. We were relieved and thankful that we didn’t collide with anyone or anything. I felt like a celebrity because everyone wanted to wave or shake hands with me! Some kids even chased after our jeep trying to hold onto the back. As I was waving to everyone on the street, I looked behind me and a camel was within a few feet of my face! I never knew a simple drive through town could be so much fun and full of adventure.