Alice In Wanderlust: Delhi

Delhi,

After a couple of weeks of Limbo, we are finally in Delhi. We have arrived. Woot!. It is exactly the shock to me system I thought it would be and then some. The flight went as planned as we were slightly sceptical about jet airways- hey you fear the unknown sometimes... That said it was actually a really good flight. The only problem was that I didn't get any sleep at all. None in the slightest. That what happens when you're stuck between 2 men and can't quite get any arm room or find a comfy position. Plus part of me was worried I'd wake up with my head against the wrong chest...

We went through security ok and after quite a lenghty wait for our bags were found by our pick up. It was some dude in a tin can that was so hot when we got in. I reached for my seat belt and there wasn't one. This is something I would have been concerned about but I'd been reliably informed that this is quite standard in India. The air con was turned on and by that i mean we opened the windows a bit wider and we were away. I've never heard so much beeping in all my years of living. Everyone beeps as they're driving. As noone indicates it's your way way of saying I'm here or hey -Move your arse! You get my drift. I have to say it was quite unnerving having never experienced this before. Weirdly though, I never felt unsafe... The driver seemed to be old hand at it. We drove into what looked like some ghetto and I was thinking - Oh yeah we'll probably drive through this - and he stopped. We got out- packs in hand and followed him down an alley that smelt like piss and barbeque. He led us to the office of our first hotel. I was quite relieved. I didn't know what to think for a moment there.

Our room was actually quite lush in comparison to what I was expecting. A TV, fan and Air Con. Paradise. It took me quite a while to come round to the idea of leaving the hotel room and venturing outside into the madness. We eventually did though into what was a Bazaar. It looked much more inviting than when I first laid eyes on it. We were so wide eyed and scared looking though that we were easy prey. Every few yards,we'd have someone stopping us. "Hey nice shoes. Where did you get those from" "Where you from? England. Ow- I have an uncle there" "You wanna come in my shop..." Aaaargh! Anyway we were so hot and tired we actually humoured one of them for some air-con. He called himself the Indian Adam Sandler and said his family had once hosted Michael Palin. He also said Andy looked like Tom Cruise and I looked like North Indian Gypsy. I was quite taken by his compliments. If Andy hadn't been there - lord knows what I would have bought. We ventured on and before the end of the day had bought a train ticket and hotel deal that took us around North India. Not sure this was a good idea but it's done now and we feel had!

Day 2
Complimentary City Tour Anyone.
I figured how bad could this be. It might be quite nice to have someone hold our hand around what is actually quite a crazy city. A lovely hippy looking man told us "Don't be afraid. Just Embrace it". I have decided that this must be my mantra if I'm ever going to cross a road in Delhi. We are met by our driver/tour guide for a half day tour of Delhi. We decided to have a look at Old Delhi. As he drives I decide that leaning against the door is not wise as I don't think that our insurance covers us for falling out o f a moving vehicle into Delhi traffic... We are taken to rickshaw as we're apparently going to see a market place and a temple. This is my first ever rickshaw ride. I have to say I was clinging on for dear life at first and slowly chilled out. I just felt really bad for the guy cycling. All the rickshaw men are so slight to look at. How on earth do they do this all day long. I guess you do what you have to do. Word to the wise - there is no such thing as a complimentary tour. We are passed on to a ropey looking tour guide who points out random stuff and then another rickshaw man. We discover that each of them expect payment and so after some heavy bartering we hand over something and ask to be taken home. Our driver looked really perplexed/angry but I think we were passed caring. He explains that India is a system and this is just the way it is. Then tries to get us to go to some market as apparently that's were he makes his actual money. I didn't bemoan him for trying but I did feel like a piece of meat at that moment. It's a strange feeling and I suppose one that I'm going to have to learn to deal with and just get over.

Terrified and excited at Heathrow Airport