I can safely say Delhi is unlike anywhere I have ever been to. Its manic! Crossing the road is impossible, literally a case of shutting your eyes and hoping for the best! We took a rickshaw ride today and was stuck in a jam that I can't call a traffic jam as it was more full of a collection of people, man made pulleys, cars, bikes, and cows... yes cows! Roaming everywhere, mainly in old delhi, which is where today we visited a massive mosque (can't remember name). I loved old delhi though, it had a really specific culture to it which was so interesting to see! New Delhi is different, there is no 'city centre'as such, every building is having building works done and there are no real paths or roads. But even so, there is something quite beautiful about it. Walking through this evening there is a celebration of some kind which involved a lot of gorgous decorations and busses done up with fantastic music blaring, and people dancing all around which gave a lovely atmosphere to the city.
However, it is very intimidating i would say, on the rickshaws earlier, i sat in the back facing outward without really thinking, as in the traffic jam I was just being stared at but about 100 cyclists, passengers, passers by and had nowhere to look! sunglasses came in very handy! Later on we took another rickshaw back to tthe hotel and some police were helping us flag one down, and actually pulled one over, kicked the locals out who were in it and ushered us over which was embarasing - but rather helpful at the same time!
The people we have met so far have all been really helpful, and we have been able to spot any scams and avoid them so far, but after the stories I have heard about people out here, I was plesently surprised to meet so many people who have been interested to speak to us and protect us from others!
Cheating a bit, we have a lovely hotel for our first few nights here, a/c fridge, tele, hot shower, its been amazing, but i am ready now for the sort of room I was preparing myself for, and also to find some traditional indian cuisine somewhere too which we have not had a chance to have yet.
Group of people I'm with are all lovely, however today was our last day all together until we meet again in Mumbai as we are all going our separate ways for a few days.. but will be great to share stories when we meet back up!
One thing no one could criticise with it here is how fantastic everyones English is, literally everyone I have met (apart from the odd rickshaw driver) has been almost perfect at the language, which im ashamed to say has stopped me learning the language so far, but I will definitly start soon!
One fault I do have with Delhi however, which I know is going to make me sound like the most stereotypical British girls, is that after a very tiring and stressful day, I was dying for a nice bar to relax in with a beer and some music, but nothing! Nowehere was there anything like that near us, so had to settle for a fanta in our room! But I expect things to be different in Mumbai, and for it to be more westernised in that matter.
The smells that everyone warned me about in Delhi were not nearly as bad as I had exected, in fact walking the streets early evening there is a fantastic smell of spice and incense mixed filling the streets which there is something so comfroting about. Obviously theres the odd wiff, but to be expected surely!
Moving on to Agra and another village nearby tommorrow which is exciting as I feel ready to leave Delhi now, as it has been an experience I will never forget!
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