Micro versus Tempo: Part II

[parakhi]

http://www.parakhi.com/blogs/2011/12/14/micro-versus-tempo-part-ii

December 14, 2011 By: microphile

Last week, as I rediscovered the joy of riding in tempos, I could not help but compare those rides with the ones I have had in micros. The rivalry seems to be pretty evident in real life, as I flinch and try to free myself from this uncomfortable feeling from the back seat when the micro driver dai (isn’t it just amazing how conveniently we address strangers with relations that are supposed to be your closest and the most respected?) tried to over-take the green-white striped, frail looking tempo; not to suggest that the micro that I was inside was in any pretty good shape.

As soon as I see the word ‘versus’ I automatically switch on to my ‘compare-contrast essay’ mode (I am sorry, I have been conditioned to think like this). So, here goes my slightly subtle version of the compare and contrast:

Given the external factors like the speed, road pitch quality (I have no clue what the techies call it), the placement of the seats and the softness of the seat cushions, if there are any, are kept at constant in both conditions; I find it more comfortable to read in a micro than in a tempo. I have no logical reasoning behind it but every time I try to read in a tempo, I am scared that my book might fall off from the edge. Moreover, vibration makes it absolutely difficult for my poor eye-sight to adjust with the sentences. Micro 1 – Tempo 0.

Another unreasonable, yet very relatable issue to be taken into consideration in here is mobile phones. Mine is usually tucked inside the pocket of my jeans or safely hidden somewhere in one of those inevitable ‘holes-in-the-bag’ pockets, sliding from one end to the other at its own convenience. This means when I am in a micro, pulling off an acrobatic feat, squeezed in between strangers, I always miss calls and when I miss calls, it means I will have to call that person back; which will, as you all know, cost me. If only I was seated in the wooden planked seat of a tempo, I could fish out my phone and take the call. This also applies to paying fare. Does this mean: Micro 1 – Tempo 2?

I somehow get the feeling that tempo is going to win this round of the battle; because as I struggle to think how I can make my lovely micro win this thing; the only thing that comes to my mind is how perfectly structured tempos are for communication. The two benches face each other; and there is a wide frame through which you can pass your fare or chitchat with the tempo driver. Well, I must say micros did try to copy off that by putting up an extra bench behind the driver’s seat but really, who are they kidding? I would not sit on that seat even if I were given, erm, like, erm, millions of, erm, books? Perhaps I would.

Finally, and abruptly, for someone who is a conversation junkie, I think tempos just won this battle. But for someone who is also a microphile, I am hopeful that this is not the end of the story.

Microphile loves to travel however, since her fantasies of travels into the Egyptian pyramids and Saharian deserts are, well, mere fantasies; she makes do with the hazardous amount of traveling she has to do in micro-buses, aka, micros. She loves to read while traveling in micros. All that traveling has most probably caused some spinal/brain injuries that she is unaware of; while she continues to travel by micros every morning; observing the mundane and writing about them in this blog.

image source: blog.nepal-shop.org
http://www.parakhi.com/blogs/2011/12/14/micro-versus-tempo-part-ii

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