The next day we arrived at the new hotel and met the people we would be spending the next couple of weeks with. Mother and Daughter and two other couples. Very very nice people. Our first day was just spent going for a meal with them which was nice. The next day we were up early again... We took the Metro to the old part of Delhi which was an experience. Our guide/facilitator Anuuj had taught us "Might is Right in India!" And this prepared us mentally for the squash in the metro. The trains are surprisingly nice. Nicer, cleaner and more sophisticated than the UK railway system. On arrival in Old Delhi we immediate stood out. It was extremely intimidating. It seemed more intimidating for the others and Emily as I have started looking more and more Indian!! There is a noticeable jealously throughout the group as they have realised I could get Indian rates to get into museums etc 2700% mark up sometimes!!! Just need to work on my accent... Our guide Anuuj took us down all the dirty back alleys explaining some history which was unbelievable. We were in amongst all the poverty. He then introduced us to the native drink called Chaye Masala! It was made by the creepiest and fairly unhygenic man, but we already had the runs so we had nothing else to lose other than 15p. Its like tea but with herbs ginger and other magical ingredients. Taste sensation! After the culture shock walk we headed to visit a local Mosque. Shoes were removed and the women were made to wear what looked like bright colourful hospital gowns. The mosque was very beautiful. In the centre of the grounds was a pool of stagnant water... Disgustingly brown, flies, bits of rubbish and scum.... You get the picture. People were washing out their mouths and faces with this water!!! Very interesting to stare and take photos of though. After this we still had half the day left! My dad will be relieved to know we havnt stayed in bed past 8am...
Next we walked a small way to a local Hindu Temple. Once again people were drinking the same water we were made to clean our feet with. We put on what looked like orange bandanas which I guess were mandatory to enter as visitors. The hindu's in the temple were extremely welcoming and we even got to help make chipatis with them in the kitchen! A lot harder than it looks, and some struggled more than others. This was the last included activity of the day so the group decided we would experience Humayun's Tomb. Very beautiful. Not much else to say about it.
After this we decided to split apart from the group and go to the India gate to get some water. I then spotted some parliment buildings in the distance which looked fairly interesting so I suggested to Emily we walk there. I didn't realised it was a good couple of miles walk... Emily used this hour of walking to make her agony apparent to me! I was tested to use my most imaginative forms of distraction for this time. On arrival we were greeted with not a lot. I was greeted with "you made me walk all this way...nag nag nag" however we were soon in a tuk tuk on our way back to the hotel, not before an attempt to coax us into a local shop by our driver. "It will give my children food!" We were not in the mood even in the slightest... That night we went to Rafflex to eat. I ordered enough for three. Emily ordered a slice of chocolate brownie. The runs was getting to her quite badly so she was playing her meals safely.