Serendipitous Metamorphosis of the Unsuspecting Motorist

After a year of treacherous motoring in Bangalore, I've discerned that every person on the road will go through the 5 distinct phases of the Bengalooru experience-
0. Gestation
There are only 2 reasons why an innocent human being will subject oneself to the insidious roads of the city. 1. The long harboured dream to own a bike, to tame the road (ya right!!!) , to feel the adrenaline rush, to see the speedometer cross the elusive 99kmph mark. Or because one has decided to take one's fate into one's own hands and no longer be a victim of the vicious auto rickshaw Mafia that runs amok in the city. Either way, we take the plunge. Thereby entering the first phase-
1. Newbie
Really easy to spot- has no idea what the gear he is in, the helmet visor is always up, and is that annoying guy on the road who has an angry mob behind him honking to kill. And finally, is that guy who stops for the red light at 6 in the morning, watching the rest of the vehicles zip past him, almost hitting his rear.
2. The adolescent
Thinks he knows what gear he is in and is that psychopath who almost crashed into you last evening.
3. Been there done that
Has had his share of falls and accidents. The bike has a few scratches, wont kill the pillion if the bike is soiled by the mud on the pillion's shoes. Still knows a thing or two about traffic rules.
4. 'Institutionalised'
The true Bengaloorean- Thinks the footpath was constructed so that she/he can zoom past the rest of the idiots who are patiently waiting on the road for the signal to go green. Firmly believes that there should be no space between your headlights and the tail lights of the vehicle in front. Has no idea what the pairs of orange lights on either side of the head/tail light are there for. Knows very well about the horn. Can ride on the first gear for exceptionally long periods of time. Some times has a helmet on and is sometimes found jumping over the divider. And most importantly, can see behind his head.

'Believe what you want. These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. After long enough, you get so you depend on 'em. That's "institutionalized."'- Red, The Shawshank Redemption

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it."
Greg Anderson quotes (American best-selling author and founder of the American Wellness Project., b.1964)

Obviously Greg's destination was not via Bengalooru :)