The road less travelled.

Driving is a pain in India. When I had started driving, I was as bad and as irresponsible as any other driver in India. I can not even recall how I got my driver's license. All I know is that I was asked by my Dad to be at a particular place at a particular time. Without being asked a single question and without being asked to drive at all, I got my license. I drove with gay abandon. To me, it was fun and no other thrill, except adventure sports, could have come near.

Then I went to US. I came to know that one needs to pass a written test first before appearing for the road test. I studied the small booklet that was freely distributed in the office of the motor vehicles something something. I became aware of the rules and what "right of way" means for the first time in my life. I realised honking is a bad habit and that driving is indeed a privilege but others have that privilege too. In a sense, it was a new beginning for me.

Now I am a responsible driver. And in India, that's a bad thing. Well, as they say be a Roman in Rome. And when I find only myself not breaking the rules by not driving in the opposite direction on a one-way road (its a very common sight), or waiting on an empty road for the signal to turn green, I do feel like a fool sometimes. It's been 3 years and I have no idea how long can I persist with vehicles behind me honking when the signal is red and the road is empty.

I hope it does. Two wrongs do not make it a right.