Subways

The guidebooks warn and forbid the use of subways and buses. Of course, the right thing to do was to start by using them liberally. The first surprise was the presence of smartcards at the subway station, but not automated ticket machines. As you go in, you are greeted by metal detectors and security guards who search all of your bags as you go past the entrance. This is typically not a big deal except for the people who are going to the train station or airports and then all their, in typical indian fashion, (over)fully-packed, bulging, almost-bursting, kept together by by yards of rope and tape and chains, bags need to be opened and searched. A lot of pleading and pouting ensues but these guards are immune.