Taste of Indian papad

ONLY THE most foolhardy of tourists opt to drive in India, it takes a particular kind of daredevil personality to negotiate the tangle of cars, tuc-tucs, scooters, motorbikes, rickshaws, push bikes and gaily painted trucks with an occasional camel or bullock cart as well. The cows are sacred so they just amble nonchalantly through it all unruffled by the endless tooting of horns.

Even passengers need a fistful of valium and a good dollop of faith in the gods to face into the rush hour melee. Under the circumstances it’s understandable that tourists and travellers usually opt to hire a driver for the duration of the holiday.

After a day or two a certain dependency and camaraderie develops between both parties so, inevitably, if one is in the vicinity of the drivers’ home you will be invited to meet the family.