Highlights from the Rickshaw Run Whatsapp Group, Part 2

And part two of our Whatsapp group highlights:

Every break down we insist on a shot of tequila in the back seat—we have nearly finished a bottle today.

As a straight woman I really enjoy that they are catering to my non vag tastes. (instead of vegetarian, many menus denoted a non-veg section. Some got the spelling wrong)

We just ran out of gas right in front of two cops trying to get a bride. Awkward. We played dumb and gave them random papers. They got annoyed and let us go.

4 days of squirts. Not ready for real curry.

#squirt till it hurts

Get it out, every last burning drop

To note we have lost: one license plate, one tent, one hammock, one waterproof jacket (to dogs), one pen knife, two sunglasses and our speedometer.

I would be surprised if that dive was on the map. We asked the hotel staff at the westfield for the closest bar and the sent us off in a rickshaw. Just a heads up, it seems a bit rough. There was a brawl between about 10 of the staff and some of the customers while we were there (and I mean a brawl, there were improvised weapons)…but overall a lovely evening

Signs just outside Dhule: “Hospitals are boring, avoid accidents” and “Avoid the vehicle in front, and death.”

Did any team pull out yet?

It’s more fun if you don’t pull out, adds an element of risk.

Got stopped trying to sneak along the Pune to Mumbai expressway yesterday. Punished with at least 10 selfies before allowed on our way again.

Q: Anyone know where I can get soft toilet paper with aloe vera because my butt is on fire.

A: Put toilet paper in the freezer for fast, effective relief.

Took a speed bump too fast and our bottles of beer cracked. Any known issues with having alcohol leak into an engine?

Just got offered a tea and cigarettes while driving 60—good times.

Justin, we drove past in the wrong direction. One of us is driving the wrong way?

One of the most frequent posters to our group chat was…let’s call her Angela, a California girl who loved the sound of her own voice. Here are a couple of hers:

(Day 3) Yeah we may just put in on a truck. This isn’t fun. We were broken down all day yesterday and now again today.

Q: Has anyone got footage of the flame throwing on New Year’s Eve? Just need a 10 sec snippet.

Angela to the rescue: I don’t but I can flame throw myself and I brought by gear with me if you want some additional footage.

If anyone sees the maharajah please tell him I am a lesbian and would sooner be exiled from the country than to “go to bed,” as he so kindly offered.

During the final party she also complained to me about the maharajah. In her own words, she said, “I’ve turned down gods.” A bit conceited, eh?

And here's a snipit from the organizers' post on highway etiquette in India:

Highway code of India

I: The assumption of immortality is required of all road users.

II: Indian traffic, like Indian society, is structured on a strict caste system. The following precedence must be accorded at all times. In descending order, give way to: cows, elephants, heavy trucks, buses, official cars, camels, light trucks, buffalo, jeeps, ox-carts, private cars, motorcycles, scooters, auto-rickshaws, pigs, pedal rickshaws, goats, bicycles (goods-carrying), handcarts, bicycles (passenger-carrying, dogs, pedestrians

II: All wheeled vehicles should be driven in accordance with the maxim: to slow is to falter, to break is to fail, to stop is defeat. This is the Indian driver’s mantra.