A Lovely Way to See India

by SHOMA PATNAIK
Posted on 2009-05-01
Having travelled in the ‘shaky little autos’ during previous visits to India, Welshman, Mr Hue Jones, never thought he would actually be steering the wheels of one.
Yet, when the time came to participate in the bizarre ‘Rickshaw Run’, an exciting event involving cross-country driving in ubiquitous autos, this intrepid traveller was among the first to sign up. A diehard voyager, Mr Jones teamed up with fellowman, Mr Martin Davis, for the drive which covered 3,500 miles, from deep in the hills of Shillong to amchem Goa.
Says Mr Jones, “We pals sure spent a lot of time in prettying up our little lady, painting her in white and getting her all festooned for the journey.” On a humorous aside, he adds, “Our beauty on three wheels was christened, ‘NOT2SHAW.’ Get the drift? It just shows our confidence in making the run in one piece.”
But how was it manoeuvring the flimsy 150cc engine on the treacherous Indian roads, and for such a long distance? “Difficult, because I have never driven such a funny vehicle before,” he replies before elaborating, “the mountain roads were tough, and coming face-to-face with crazy truck drivers topped our fears.” Nonetheless, our plucky Brits finished third in the ‘Run’ although ‘best timing’ was not only the reason why they found this particular voyage momentous.
Chuckles, Mr Jones, “It took a few days to get the hang of steering the wobbly rickshaw. We drove in turns doing three hour shifts. When one drove the other negotiated the map and vice-versa.” What about sleep? “Never!” is the response because “one may just fall off.” So, the travellers drove all through the day, while crashing out on night. On roads where there were no hotels, the rickshaw had to make do for a bedroom.
Continues Mr Jones, “I have done offbeat travelling before, in China, Malaysia and Thailand among other places, however this time it was quite an adventure.” He elaborates, “We traversed locals that were so varied, and drove right through India. It got us an insight into rural India where the people were all so nice, with none harbouring mean streaks, in fact, a lovely way to see India.”
Get talking more on their amazing journey and one is enlightened that the duo encountered real helpful villagers who often offered them food, shelter for the night or garage service all gratis without a single penny being asked.
As for the food, both the team partners thrived on original ‘dhaba’ food that they discovered could be simple while being tasty, “full of flavours with none of the excessive masala spice found in Indian curries back home.”
Getting lyrical on the ride, Mr Jones says, “Rural India is what I liked the best, the mountains along Shillong are beautiful, while Varanasi which was passed en-route is amazingly spiritual.” “I also enjoyed the plains in Madhya Pradesh,” he adds “even though temperatures hit 50 degrees while in Rewa.”
And last, would, he like to participate in the next ‘Rickshaw Run’ due again in September? “No! Not this time,” is the emphatic refusal. “I am just too tired, it took two days of sleep to get the bones to stop aching and even after that the travelling lag remains.”