India v2.4

More Delhi.

Toxic Smog. This photo was actually taken in the afternoon and it wasn't raining.


Delhi traffic jam. This photo was also taken in the afternoon.


In addition to trying to visit the many historical sites, we also ended up at a famous shopping area. Check out the link because it has a video on it. The video shows a good example of typical Indian shopping districts. This one is very old. It was also very crowded. I did not find it enjoyable at all. I didn't buy anything either.
However, we did go here to try the world famous parathas. I wasn't even hungry but hey, if it was world famous and I had already decided I was never coming back to Delhi, I thought I should try it. This is where I became a television star.
Husband and walked up to the entrance and there was a reporter and television camera taping the inside and the cooking as well as interviewing the owner. I have no idea what was being said because it was in Hindi. Suddenly the camera is right on me and I hear him say "Amrika" which I know means America. Then they were on their way. Husband was cracking up. He told me that the reporter said, "People are even coming here from America to eat the famous paratha!"
You have to know that when the camera focused on me, I just stood there and smiled the biggest smile I could. I still have no idea how the reported decided I was from "Amrika" because I could have been from anywhere. But it sure did make for a good story!

After leaving the market we got on the subway. Yes there is a brand new subway system in Delhi. It needs some help if you ask me, a DC metro veteran. You don't purchase a ticket, you get a token. The token works by touch. To open the gate you touch the token on a pad. I think a ticket is a much better idea. The tokens are easily misplaced. Once you get your token you have to go through a security machine. Women in one line, men in another. After security you can proceed to your gate. The problem is also with the gate. You must stand behind a yellow line to touch your token to the pad. If you don't, the gate won't open. This became a problem for several in our group of 10. But not for my MIL. She was the subway expert. She doesn't even speak much English, but she was yelling at everyone in English "YELLOW LINE!!" She's been on the metro in DC and even the subways of NYC so she knows these things.

From Delhi it was off to Agra.

India v2.3

Delhi.
A dirty, filthy, stinking place. Hated it.
From the minute we got off the train I was surrounded by black flies. They seemed to be everywhere we went. I was constantly swatting them off of me. I informed everyone that if this had been my first time in India and the first city I visited I would have been on the next plane back home. It was shocking to me because I'd talked to several people who'd been to Delhi and loved it. I don't get it.

We experienced transportation hassles everywhere we tried to go. Granted, we had a group of 10 which usually required 2 auto rickshaws or cabs. However, there were times when drivers just flat out refused to take us places. It became annoying. I was wishing we were in Mumbai instead. People were at least friendly in that city.
Even in our "tourist class" hotel, I was hassled. The employees were not going to allow me to stay in the same room with my Indian family because I don't have the same last name as they do. And I'm not Indian. They required a copy of my passport as well as a copy of our official Indian Marriage Registration form. I was so pissed. When we checked out the next day I asked for my copies back and they refused. Refused. That made me feel really good. I can't even think about it now because I start to panic about my stolen identity.

Our first night we tried to go to the famed Connaught Place to eat dinner. I'd heard about the great food and spicy food and I was excited. I ended up being disappointed with the food the entire time. Nothing was spicy. I get spicier food in my own country and I don't get that at all.
The next morning a tour guide with an SUV came and picked us up. He drove us all over the city for more than 10 hours. There were many stops along the way. The biggest disappointment was that on Mondays in Delhi, almost all the historical monuments are closed. Red Fort? Closed. Lotus Temple? Closed.
The marriage registration form helped us in one main way. It allowed me to enter the few historical monuments that happened to be open for the same price Indian citizens pay. Yes my friends, there is a difference. Anyone who doesn't look Indian or who can't prove it must pay sometimes triple or more of the price. By showing the document and Husband giving a long explanation in Hindi, they allowed me in. It was a real covert mission at times.

We went to Raj ghat. I was excited when we first arrived because there were some men outside the gate with an elephant. I got to pet the elephant. I could have sat on it and gone for a ride, but elephants are super smart animals and that scares me. I had Husband pay the men anyway because I have no idea how they afford to feed an elephant. I can't even imagine how much an elephant eats in one day.
We went to Qutub Minar. It is amazing that it is still standing after all these years. It is unfortunate that you can't go inside it anymore. Too many jumpers, if you know what I mean.
My favorite place in all of Delhi was this. Security is tight. You can't bring any cell phone, camera or video camera inside. I was really wishing to take video in there. The outside is fantastic, but the inside is AMAZING. It is a must see. I could have spent hours there.

The cleanest part of Delhi is the area around India Gate and the president's house. It reminded me very much of my beloved Washington DC. The buildings are grand. Aside from the toxic smog that hangs in the air, it was great.

This is getting long. Tomorrow I'll tell you more about Delhi and how I became a tv star.