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Arriving in India has been so different to my arrivals in other cities or countries. The biggest difference is that there was someone waiting for me in the arrivals hall with a signboard bearing my name. The travel agent helped me get a SIM card for a phone and I was transported to the hotel in a 7 seater Toyota Innova where I have my own seat with its own armrest. This is to be my chariot for the next few days. I was given the vouchers for the rest of my stay in India.
First thing I noticed about this hotel is that the staff always smile and greet you. As a result, I find myself smiling a lot more here. I had free time until 3pm the next afternoon.
At breakfast, one of the staff offered me a traditional Indian breakfast dish so I had some roti and curry as well for breakfast! I have no idea what it was, but it had chickpeas and tea added to give it a dark color. I explored the hotel after breakfast and decided to take a walk outside the hotel against the concierges advice. I understood why he said no afterwards. You see the poverty and squalor outside, but it is also very hot and humid so my t-shirt was soaked with perspiration after about 30 minutes.
I then decided to go to the Iskcon temple. The concierge advised me a tuktuk would cost INR100 maximum. The drivers insisted upon 200 so I asked the concierge to arrange a taxi. I was told maximum would be INR300. I ended up paying 360. On the return trip tuktuk, I only paid 100.
Went on afternoon tour and saw New Delhi as opposed to Old Delhi which I saw the following morning. The new part consists of stuff built by the British and mostly the government building precinct. Also saw the Humayun Tomb and Qutub Minar from the Mungal era. Tour guide took me to a tourist restaurant for supper. Food was good but expensive too.
Next morning for breakfast, I had a potato curry and puri in addition to the usual cereal and coffee. Went to see old Delhi. Saw the Gandhi memorial, Raj Ghat and some others alongside it but could not enter as some other activist was launching something there today. Went to the Swaminarayan Akshardam Temple which is the largest Hindu temple in the world. Not allowed to take pics there but it is amazing set on 100 acres of ground. Also went to Chandni Chowk where I went on a ricksha ride which is an interesting experience. You have to ensure you keep your hands and legs inside or you WILL get hurt. It's that chaotic!
Went to the spice market and tasted cinnamon and smelt some other spices. Also went to a Sikh temple where one of their prophets was beheaded by the Moghuls. Went to Jama Masjid which is the largest open air mosque, but could not go in. Tonight I will be going to a sound and light show at the Red Fort.
It has been very different in that usually I would look for a street map and metro system map and try to make my way around. I would also look for a hop on hop off bus tour. I have to figure things out myself and fend for myself. Here I get picked up at the hotel door, have my own air conditioned car and a personal tour guide. The only people in the car are myself, the driver and the tour guide. I can get used to this type of 5 star treatment! As my tour guide told me, in India the philosophy is easy come, easy go. No tension, no depression!
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