After our brief sojourn in Bodhgaya we travelled back to Ranchi. If and when the average Indian travels it is by train or bus. With the increase of material wealth for some of the Indian population exploring their country is now done by car or plane; for tourists this also applies. When I first travelled to India in 1985 domestic flights were astronomically expensive and it most certainly was not within our reach or budget (we travelled on less than $10 a day). Now, however, some of the travelling I conduct when I’m in India is by hiring a driver and a car. If one times it when others want to travel as well then it is quite a pleasant way of exploring the country side or travelling from place to place.

I must say that I admire drivers in India. I would not dream of getting behind the wheel here. Anticipating where trucks, cars, auto- and bicycle rickshaws, pedestrians, cows, goats, pigs, water buffalos, ducks and dogs may drive, sway, cross or run is a never-ending mystery to me.

Then of course there is the question of “how many” of whatever/whoever one might fit into a vehicle or pile on top off. Again, endless opportunities for reflecting and comparing. As a teacher all too familiar with completing risk assessment forms, the mind boggles.