Delhi November 11-14, 2005

2005-11-28T22:19:00.000-08:00

Delhi was a complete and utter onslaught of sights, sounds and smells. There is the constant buzz of horns everywhere, as if the locals use them instead of indicators. Our first two nights were a great way to ease into this amazing country. We stayed at a budget hotel who picked us up from the airport - thankfully. The airport itself is complete chaos as each contender pushes, shouts and temps new visitors to their guesthouses. After 20 hours of travelling we were very happy to get to our bed. When we finally turned out the lights above us lit up a whole universe of glow in the dark stars, planets and the moon. There were shooting stars, galaxies and planets. Someone had spent many many hours planning and placing the whole ceiling and we were truly awed. We plan our sightseeing day on the roof of our hotel whilst eating breakfast.

We are serenaded by Delhi's constant beeping and an unknown percussionist from an adjoining hotel. The rooftop provides an insight into Delhi unafforded by the street. Morning bathing with bucket and cup, repairs with back and bucket everywhere. Seeming to keep the buildings on the verge of stability but no further. Sleepers in every doorway and stairwell all capped with a smog ceiling which limits the view to the immediate and surrounding suburbs. The next couple of days getting over our travel and taking in different sights of Delhi. On our way to the Red Fort in Delhi we went thru the Old Delhi Quarter where each street has a specialty ie metal street, children's book street, wedding invitation street, sari street (where all the women are). It is so colourful and full of life. One thing that really stands out to me is the lack of women on the street and not in the professional sense. There are men everywhere but no women.

After visiting the Red Fort we went looking for a phone to call Jett. On a Sunday away from the backpacker area this wasn't proving to be an easy thing. Finally after wandering down a small alley we found an even smaller alley with a stairway leading up which we followed. At the top we met Ajay who is the 8th of 11 brothers and has a business in phonecalls. David called Jett and was much happier for having been able to do so.

We then visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Delhi. Like the Red Fort, the lack of upkeep strips the site not only of its paint, colour and brightness, but also of its glory, abd therefore its interest. After looking into a trip to Rajasthan, the most well preserved historical part of India, we collect our bags from the guesthouse and hey organise a taxi to the hotel where we will meet the trekking group.

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