Delhi

Well, we made it!

The flight was great, loads of legroom and TVs in the back of the seats where you choose what you want to watch, and when, etc. Of course, neither of us could sleep, but there was plenty to keep us occupied.

And we arrived in Delhi. After finally getting our bags, we were met at the airport by someone from the hotel, who drove us in. It's so different here - even after a day and a half I'm starting to get used to the place, but it's still fascinating. First off, the driving is just as incredible as you've probably heard. Cars, auto-rickshaws, motorbikes and scooters (and buses) zoom around within inches of each other - there must be a method to the madness because we haven't seen any accidents, but the cars are very battered about (and often where there isn't)...our first few auto-rickshaw rides saw me holding on very tight!

The hostel/hotel is fine - the area that it's in has loads of backpackers and whiteys. It's down a narrow street crammed with shops and stalls and people and rickshaws, you have to watch where you're stepping all the time to avoid dogs and kids and holes and ruts and things - it's not paved - at least, not very. Inside the hostel, the room is fine - it does have a round bed for some reason. Apart from that, it has a very loud air conditioning unit and the shower has two taps that both spurt nearly-cold water, but it's sufficient for our needs. It also has a small restaurant that seems to open whenever customers are around, and the first meal we had - a very unspicy curry - was very nice!

One of the most difficult things to get used to is how you frequently get called at. Mostly people want you to buy things, and although rarely impolite, they are insistent and will stand in your way or hold their wares out at you. People will stop in the street or walk up to you and talk
at you, "Where do you want to go?" and rickshaws do suicidal U-turns to persuade you to get in. I'm sure that some people are just being civil - it's a chance to practice their English, after all (which is usually very good) - and one guy walked with us to show us the way to the tourist office and the bank, and he constantly assured us that he didn't want anything for his troubles (which he didn't) but lots of people seem to have their own agenda, directing you again and again towards tourist offices or to their shops, so it's easier to ignore people, and to be guarded all the time. One rickshaw took us to completely the wrong place, putting us down next to a tourist office probably a mile from where we wanted to be. I'll learn from that one - I'm not getting out until I can see the building that I requested to go to, in future! It can be wearing, but I guess I'll get used to it.

There's also quite a few beggars, and they are just as forthright. It is a shock to see people lying on the street or in subways, there are quite a few people around missing bits of themselves, and to see people scavenging from the piles of detritus that are dotted around on the streets is particularly heart-breaking.

It's not all bad, though! Everywhere is so colourful and bright, and seeing dilapidated huts with "Delhi Transport Police" on them all over the place is great! You have to embrace the spirit of the place - walk round the cows that wander on the pavements, and carefully step over the foot-high wall that's inexplicably sticking out of the pavement. If you manage to cross the road, even at a pedestrian crossing, you may well find that it ends with a railing between you and the pavement...

We've been to some mosques, temples, churches etc and some other monuments (and a pizza hut) but our time's run out at the internet cafe so they'll have to wait till another post.

Cheerio till next time, hope everything's good in England!