debjohn123

Old Delhi India - Old Delhi is called old for a good reason, it's like another world. The narrow streets are lined with tiny shops about 10 feet wide, the streets are very very crowded with carts, street venders, people, animals, auto and cycle rickshaws and just about any vehicle that can fit. People and the animals are use to jumping and doging anything that's coming down the road. Then again at other times it the responsibility of the vehicle to avoid the people and animals, which they do! There are people yelling to one another, horns honking, venders inviting you to come see their treasures, or young men following you asking "where are you from" and try to guide you into a shop to buy something. There are also wooden delivery hand carts piled over ... read more

Woke at 4:30 AM to the beautiful chanting from the Sikh Temple next door. The chanting is 24/7 by devotees in person! There is an hourly schedule they follow. So once in a while it's quiet for an hour when someone doesn't show up but that is a very rare occurance. It is not a muslim religion, the Sikhs believe in equality for all people, they do not believe in the cast system and men and women are considered equal from what I have read. The temple is open to all visitors who are offered free lodging and food. There is a great Golden Temple further north I'll go visit and stay towards the end of this month. According to my Lonely Planet guide the domes of the temple are reported to be gilded with 750kg ... read more

Old Delhi .............Monkeys up in the air running along cables and jumping from balcony to balcony, huge bulls with giant horns just walking and grazing on the side of the road, cows standing on the center devide minding their own business, but did turn to actually look at me when I took a photo which made me laugh. Goats up on the sidewalks. Happy dogs running around everywhere with no apparent owners, a ton of chip monks scampering up to you to see if you have anything for them and if not scamper away just as fast. Beautiful red ring parrots sitting cuttled on the top of ruins. Wild parakeets everywhere. The animals are respected and given as much right of away as any human. All the animals are relaxed and not bothered in the slightest ... read more

Before I left I made an internet reservation for a hotel through youthhostels.com and received a confirmation. For a backup I sent an email to the email address for the hotel on the reservation confirmation asking for an airport pick up since my flight got in at 2am. A few hours later I received a phone call from a Raj stating he received my email and canceled my reservation because the hotel was full and he would find me something else better at a better price! Because I was having dinner out I told him I'd call him back rather than disturb everyone around me discussing personal business on a cell phone while others are trying to enjoy their meals. Nothing more irritating and rude. When home I called Raj back and he said not to ... read more

Made it to Delhi, tonight after exploring a little I'll write more of my interesting experience since arriving at the airport..........back soon!... read more

I am working on uploading a few photos before I leave for India in 3 days. Well things are looking up, success at getting some photos added. I'll try to get the other photos of interest to some of my friends uploaded now. I will add the rest of some of the London photos and then in the next blog add photos of Gaye's property.... read more

I love the idea of staying connected to family and friends while traveling, Ihope this site works well, we shall see!... read more

This is my first attempt at blogging, trying to get comfortable with this site before I leave. I'm a little ill from the vaccines and starting to feel a little separation anxiety from the idea of leaving family, friends and pets for so long, a minimum of 9 months is planned.... read more