When Auto-mation did not exist in US

Definitely the US of A is one of the most developed nations in the world. Automated Procedures, crossings, payments, blah..blah..

But Chennai and Bangalore beat the US on a different level of Automation. I was trying to get to the Hotel from Walmart. I did not have a cell phone. Unmindful of the transportation scene, I proceeded to walk towards a Signal at around 7.35 PM in East Peoria, hoping to stop a cab and get in comfortably.

As i observed impatiently that none of the cabs that passed me seemed to heed me, I placed my 4 KG bags on the pavement and waved my hands high up in the air, as though in a cricket stadium, trying to get some attention ( and sympathy )

Atlast, One van that passed me stopped 200 M further and reversed towards me. A Kind Gentleman and his Wife saw that i was stranded and let me in. That was when i realised that unless i could ring a cab, I would be staying wherever i was or worst case to walk all the way back which was around 4-5 Km (but not so safe). These people then dropped me right at the hotel and advised me not to walk alone particularly after Dark.

Though I could rant about the traffic system and the road infrastructure in US, the fact that I could not halt a cab at will, threw me out of gear that, this was all the freedom that i would have while moving around. Unlike Bangalore (with metered Autos) or even Chennai ( with extra ordinary meters), I could still make it from anywhere should i see an auto passing by.

To me, this is the highest level of Auto-Mation and Sophistication in Life. and the freedom to move. Are you moved?