Thursday, December 20, 2007

Roads Scholar

It's All About Cross Purposes


Like George Washington telling his father about the cherry tree, I simply have to confess to you, my gentle readers, that I flunked the ultimate test yesterday. I almost failed to cross an Indian road. It's a veritable art form, as I know so well. It can be a foxtrot without a partner, because you have to be fleet of foot, you have to be nimble and you have to occasionally sidestep and pirouette. Like dancing, you can sometimes fall flat on your backside.


Yesterday I airily tried to cross a narrow street here in Dehra Dun - and almost landed in ungainly fashion on my butt. I negotiated the first side of the street, with traffic coming from my right. Then I was almost ninety per cent across the second side of the street, with traffic coming from my left. And at that precise point of time, a motorcyclist roared past me, forcing me to retreat like a quickstep from Torvill and Dean.


How did I make such a basic error? I didn't. The motorcyclist was ignoring all rule of road decency and going the wrong way, at high speed. It was such a close shave I guess I can put my razor away for tomorrow.

13 comments:

Craver Vii said...

That sounds like the old video game called Frogger. Aftershave balm? You're looking a little raw.

Corey~living and loving said...

so glad you didn't get hurt. eeekkkk it sounds scary!

Neva said...

wow....I am glad that was you and not me!!

lime said...

egads! glad you made it across and lived to tell the tale! be careful out there!

Unknown said...

good point about the close shave. I'm glad you're OK.

Janice Thomson said...

I have an English friend who once said crossing a street in London is much the same - you have to very deft or get trampled.

Bradley's Mom said...

Be careful, David!

I'm so glad you are ok!!

Linda

Martin Stickland said...

I can imagine it, what a way with words you have!

My friends daughter has just landed back in London from India yesterday. She has been taken straight to a London Hospital after having a car crash two weeks ago and amongst other things she had to have her spleen removed. At least she is home for Christmas! I think the Cab driver ended up with two broken arms!

Sam Fox said...

OMG David - be careful!!!! Look BOTH ways before taking even baby steps!!!!

Lee said...

Wow, David! I'm so glad you are fleet of foot. Please be careful out there. Prayers of gratitude for your safety ascending.

Hope!

Celebration of Life said...

It's a dangerous world out there! I am glad you made it through okay!

Amrita said...

tell that to me

Victorya said...

Oh my! Glad to hear you are okay :) Crossing the street is hard in NYC, I can only imagine the dangers in other busy busy places!