A GLIMPSE INTO AN EVOLVED CULTURE

 A GLIMPSE INTO AN EVOLVED CULTURE.

A unique experience, however unpleasant,  gave me a good glimpse of  the way people respond and behave in a developed country like Canada. We, my son  and me, had landed around early noon in Helifax, Nova Scotia. After renting a car, we decided to have a look at   Lunnenburg , a UNESCO heritage  town about an hours drive . With its lovely cottages and a port nearby, the place reflected the 19th century architecture and lifestyle  assimilated with modernity. Cute wayside eatries offering fish and chips. oysters and crabs,  wine and beer dotted the lanes. One visualised hoards of sailors from ships, that sailed the  Atlantic,  spread out and liven up the place.Wares bought and sold. A shipbuilding town, Liverpool of the early 19th century , a light house  lived alongside MacD. Subway and the likes. The cold hanging in the air and the Sun fighting a loosing battle to be felt.

We then got back to the route  that would be a couple of hours drive on 103 West , a large multilane  highway that would take us to  Barrigngton and to the cottage on the Atlantic seaside, where we would be staying.  It , for me, was a hugly awaited event. My son drove while I observed the scenes.

Crusing steadily on a sparsly occupied Highway, twisting and turning,  right in the midst of thick timber forests, we made good progress. Hardly half a dozen vehicles were seen.  An uneventful drive , serene and relaxing.
Then the unexpected. We  witnessed couple of police vehicles and ambulances , materializing out of nowhere, speeding past.  Even though there were two more free lanes available for them  to go, all the vehicles,  including the one my son was driving, quickly  pulled aside  and stopped  and let these emergency vehicles pass.  Unusual enough,  for me to have noticed it.
We then found from the Google busybody that there was a road closure ahead. On reaching the location we slowed down and stopped and joined the others in the line.
William walked across to our vehicle and introduced himself,  enquired about our wellbeing and politely informed us of the stoppage of the road due to a accident.  Short and thickset, he was much smaller than a typical Canadian. He  wore a  large helmet of white and red shades, some kind of cable connecting it to his shoulder, a blue shirt tucked into a khaki overall , shoulder strap and all, a torch light, baton , walke talke  and large boots. Inspite of all this he came out as  friendly. Few of his collegues were holding signages and or assisting other drivers.
He was non committal about the duration of the stoppage. When informed  we had no option but to wait he directed us to a side lane and requested  us to wait.
There were more than a  dozen vehicles there already waiting.
Word soon came in through other passengers that the delay could by longer and  as high as six hours. I was flabbergasted. Soon many more vehicles joined the line and waited. All quite and obediently pulling up  behind  in the line. I soon realised , I was the only one agitated at this stupid delay in clearing the accident spot .  Hours and yet no certainty? How come these people are taking this nonsense calmly. How inefficient are the traffic police and officials?  Ambulances, tow vehicles , police cars and a helicopter too , all put into action but still six to seven hours to sort  this  out and allow for traffic to flow!!  Unacceptable for an Indian and a Bombayite.
I could imagine a Bombay havildar,  lathi in hand and a few traffic havildars  with an inspector in tow, on a bike, would just get rid of the accident vehicles and the injured in few minutes. Help of the local auto worshop ,rickshaw and the passerby would be taken and the matter handled.  Care of the injured  is left to good smatians. Investigation, forensic examination , tests. witness examination all these manufactured later. But traffic is cleared in half an hour. If not these cops will find hundreds of angry drivers scooping upon them and threatening their life. Smart drivers will take the opposite lane and try to sneak away.  The dead , may their soul  rest in peace,  are dead and gone. life  has to go on.

But here, in the midst of a large forest and a huge highway,  life's management is different.
Hundreds of cars are waiting in line for hours. No one was  agitated. Some strolling in the darkness , which had set in by then. Some with theor pets in tow. The officials , at their own pace, with all the gadgets and equipment.  went through the whole process meticulously. The departed were  given their due respect. Courts would be given all  evidences  to ensure those who suffered get their dues fast.
My son admonished me for the impatience and  the lack of respect in my response to a tragic incident. But that's the culture where I come from!! And off lat, it's touted as a great one since God created the earth!! In any case,  I decided to be calm and do as Romans do. We turned back, drove into a all nighter and had a bite and returned to the line in waiting. Made a few acquaintances with those  waiting patiently. 
After about six or seven  hours plus , each of the stranded vehicles were cleared to move on one by one..Organised , meticulous  and courteous.   Those involved in the mishap looked after. Road cleared with absolutly no tell tale signs. Each of us waved off with an apology.
For others  one fourth of the day and night lost..Hundreds inconvieneced.
It's was past midnight when we reached our destination , tired and cold but  into the warmth of a bed. Before drifting off to sleep I reflected upon the difference in the culture of two democracies , one developed and another pretending it has arrived. The latter now enveloped in a make beleive world of self glorification,  emancipation be damned. Sleep was an antidote.