I basically get everywhere I want to go in a bicycle or auto rickshaw. There is really nowhere worth going in walking distance of the college, so I basically take one for some reason or another every day. When I first got here, that was probably the most intimidating part about doing anything in India: going out into the world, waving down an auto or rickshaw, attempting to convey to them where you are trying to go, not speaking hindi, the driver not speaking english, negotiating a price, and then hoping he takes you to that place you're trying to go that you haven't been to before somewhere in New Delhi. The barriers of communication and the basic fact that I really don't know where I'm going has lead to some instances of getting rather lost and confused, and being saved with the help of the advice of the people by the side of the road or my friends who I could call and have them speak to the driver. In these cases, I generally end up paying more that originally agreed upon, for the time and trouble, and frustration. When the difference is fifty cents or so, I can get over it tolerably well.
Most of my ten hindi words/expressions have to do with autos and rickshaws. Not only do I get a better price speaking hindi (They're supposed to use the meter but they don't, and when I don't know where I'm going they can take you around and around), but the drivers seem to understand where I want to go with more certainty. I have yet to be able to give real directions other than pointing left, right, strait, and asking for a u-turn, but for now it works.
I have my preferred auto drivers. Not people, but this is a case in which I do tend to judge people on how they present themselves. I seem to have the best luck with elderly clean shaven types, well, most clean shaven types in general. There are auto drivers who speak a bit of english and are keen to practice it. Those who smile nicely are generally helpful. There are of course the drivers that are rather unkept, and chew something that they spit out red and thats kind of gross. If all else fails, I just go with the auto that seems to understand where I am trying to go and who gives me something around the regular price for it.
Everyone has crazy auto stories. My best is a crazy bicycle rickshaw driver story.
I was going from a nearby market back to college, a route that takes about five minutes via bicycle. When I got in, he was eating a carrot. After proving to be the slowest bicyclist in Delhi (the trip probably took ten minutes from M block to LSR for those of you who know the area), he proceeded to stop at the bus station about thirty yards from the college gate. I told him to keep going, to take me to the college, but indicated that I wait a minute. I was rather confused, but he got off and went to pee in the drain next to the bus station for what seemed like a very long time. I could have gotten out and walked the rest of the way to LSR, which seemed then and now like a good idea, and I would have done so, but I hadn't paid the guy, no matter how bad of a rickshaw driver he was, and the fifteen rupees was much better off in his pocket than mine. It was a very odd experience.
Most of my ten hindi words/expressions have to do with autos and rickshaws. Not only do I get a better price speaking hindi (They're supposed to use the meter but they don't, and when I don't know where I'm going they can take you around and around), but the drivers seem to understand where I want to go with more certainty. I have yet to be able to give real directions other than pointing left, right, strait, and asking for a u-turn, but for now it works.
I have my preferred auto drivers. Not people, but this is a case in which I do tend to judge people on how they present themselves. I seem to have the best luck with elderly clean shaven types, well, most clean shaven types in general. There are auto drivers who speak a bit of english and are keen to practice it. Those who smile nicely are generally helpful. There are of course the drivers that are rather unkept, and chew something that they spit out red and thats kind of gross. If all else fails, I just go with the auto that seems to understand where I am trying to go and who gives me something around the regular price for it.
Everyone has crazy auto stories. My best is a crazy bicycle rickshaw driver story.
I was going from a nearby market back to college, a route that takes about five minutes via bicycle. When I got in, he was eating a carrot. After proving to be the slowest bicyclist in Delhi (the trip probably took ten minutes from M block to LSR for those of you who know the area), he proceeded to stop at the bus station about thirty yards from the college gate. I told him to keep going, to take me to the college, but indicated that I wait a minute. I was rather confused, but he got off and went to pee in the drain next to the bus station for what seemed like a very long time. I could have gotten out and walked the rest of the way to LSR, which seemed then and now like a good idea, and I would have done so, but I hadn't paid the guy, no matter how bad of a rickshaw driver he was, and the fifteen rupees was much better off in his pocket than mine. It was a very odd experience.
The red stuff is paan, a widely variable mixture of areca(betel) nut, chewing tobacco, and a million other ingredients. I don't recommend it. :)
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