Blogs from Delhi, National Capital Territory, India, Asia - page 3

We left Amritsar in the evening, travelling by train to Delhi. I was very grateful that Rakesh took us to the station, found the right platform and took us to our seats. Amritsar station was really overwhelming with the volume of passengers, noise level, beggars, hawkers, and porters jostling for the opportunity to carry our luggage. Having negotiated the general chaos, we found ourselves in a first-class carriage which was luxurious. Our leather seats were very comfortable and the taller members of the family were thrilled with the generous leg room. Our six-hour journey ran very smoothly and was punctuated with regular deliveries of food and drink served on trays like an airline. We had samosas, soup with fennel seed flecked bread sticks, vegetable dhal and rice, and finished off with ice cream. We arrived at ... read more

My first time in India left me in wonder at the strange sight of cows wandering the streets of Delhi freely. In my travels I've witnessed cows sleeping peacefully in the middle of busy streets and winding hill station roads, only to have the buses and traffic veer their path around the holy cow, leaving the sleeping beast undisturbed. Its a known fact that cows in India are worshipped. Sacred animals of Lord Krishna. Now that's fine and dandy...but I'm from the United States, the country known for eating beef. Although I spent my years travelling abroad avoiding cheeseburgers and steaks until my yearly trip back to California, there was something about living in India eating strictly vegetarian food that made me just plain old miss cheeseburgers. Hell even in the McDonalds in India the only ... read more

Delhi Belly. What is it you might ask? Let's just say its the worst time in your life to be spent in the bathroom. Some of the foreigners that come to India--fly by nighters--use various pills and medicines to ward of the dreaded and evil illness known as Delhi Belly that comes after having eaten questionable street food or drinking the unsanitary water. Of course when your like me, living in India for soon to be one year, medicines twice a day and after every meal isn't an option. I have eaten street food many a time without having gotten sick, however when it comes...it comes. Everyone travelling to India gets sick at one point or another, so prepare yourself as best you can. Remember to always carry with you a few necessity supplies, especially considering ... read more

Indian Traffic can be pretty overwhelming for a first-timer from the U.S but here are a few tips on how to manage: 1) The first rule to Indian Driving is: there are NO rules! 2) Stopping at a red light is optional 3) If you missed your turn and there is no U-Turn, no worries, just hit your breaks and bust out a 3-point turn in the middle of the street. The cars behind you will honk, but wait for you to finish and the scooters and bikes will simply go around you. No biggie. 4) If you have to drive in the opposite direction on a one-way street, eh...why not. 5) Cows always have the right of way. 6) Pedestrians do not. (Pray they can move out of your vehicles lane fast enough and if ... read more

Ahhh the sari dresses!!! As a blonde girl I think its safe to say aloud: One of the reasons I came to India was for the sarees. My first experience flying into the Delhi International airport, was the first time in my life I saw a woman wearing a sari. Almost every woman on the plane that day seemed to be dressed in a gorgeous array of colors, bangles, necklaces, nose rings, toe rings and various shiny things. (Shiny things=Blonde girls kyrptonite) I was in absolute heaven when I realized that living in India meant getting to dress up in the sari dress. Whether attending a festival such as Diwali, or getting invites to a wedding, any occasion to wear a sari you can count me in. Putting on the sari takes a bit of practice--and ... read more