What a wonderful human-scale jumble - and some people are smiling! The equivalent scene in a major British city would consist mainly of stationary metal and of stone faced pedestrians plugged into their ipods.
RR, so true. Yet, I suspect most of the people in this photo aspire to become part of the i-pod and car society — and who can blame them? Living in conditions like this doesn't seem like a wonderful aspiration. So sad to think that they'll probably have to achieve the "American dream" (ha!) before they realise they aimed for the wrong goal.
Tom, well spotted — I wanted the feel of this situation, and it's ironic that the stereotypical perception of India is of vivid colour (it's often true, but neither universal nor necessarily the overriding characteristic). And as for those power lines... I have no idea how the power gets through (it often doesn't). You'll love India, even if it drives you crazy.
Until you actually have to live in such a jumble (of which Tokyo has a lot of similarities, though not so ramshackle anymore) it may actually seem quaint. Asia can really bring home the sense of "the human horde".
Miguel, actually, during the time I was there I don't ever recall thinking of it as quaint — lots of other adjectives at times, and not always complimentary (!). 'Intense' and 'alive' are two that certainly spring to mind.
Rush hour in Old Delhi, November 2007. The traffic was actually far more congested than it appears in this photo.
What a wonderful human-scale jumble - and some people are smiling!
ReplyDeleteThe equivalent scene in a major British city would consist mainly of stationary metal and of stone faced pedestrians plugged into their ipods.
i love how the subtle colours make the photo look old
ReplyDeletethe jumbled electrics reminds me of sth america
cant wait to go to india
tom
RR, so true. Yet, I suspect most of the people in this photo aspire to become part of the i-pod and car society — and who can blame them? Living in conditions like this doesn't seem like a wonderful aspiration. So sad to think that they'll probably have to achieve the "American dream" (ha!) before they realise they aimed for the wrong goal.
ReplyDeleteTom, well spotted — I wanted the feel of this situation, and it's ironic that the stereotypical perception of India is of vivid colour (it's often true, but neither universal nor necessarily the overriding characteristic). And as for those power lines... I have no idea how the power gets through (it often doesn't). You'll love India, even if it drives you crazy.
A agree. It has an old, or timeless, feel. Could be anytime I imagine.
ReplyDeleteUntil you actually have to live in such a jumble (of which Tokyo has a lot of similarities, though not so ramshackle anymore) it may actually seem quaint. Asia can really bring home the sense of "the human horde".
ReplyDeleteCheers Michael :^)
ReplyDeleteMiguel, actually, during the time I was there I don't ever recall thinking of it as quaint — lots of other adjectives at times, and not always complimentary (!). 'Intense' and 'alive' are two that certainly spring to mind.