Blogs from National Capital Territory, India, Asia - page 157

The big news today is that I was awakend last night by the earthquake in Afghanistan. I understand it was 6.8. I woke up with a start and felt the bed shaking. My heart was pounding and I really wondered what was happening. But I quickly assumed that it was an earthquake. I experienced them regularly when living in Tokyo, so my earthquake experience came in handy last night! I only have one picture today because I was recharging the batteries for my camera today. I took this one of my new good friend Varada. She is pretending to cry, but can't stop laughing. She is such a wonderful girl, full of fun, and she likes to perform for people. I am really enjoying our relationship, and everyday I teach her new things. (She is teaching ... read more

I just spent 30 minutes writing five-six paragraphs about the challenges of life in Delhi and a sudden power cut erased what I wrote! A perfect example of what I was writing about. I am still very happy to be here, and am even considering moving here, but boy oh boy life is challenging here. Intense smog, power cuts, hordes of people everywhere, scary insects, animals and water, beggars -- including tiny children gripping your car door so you can't shut it -- traffic chaos, a huge temperature drop every night (from 28 in the day down to 7 at night, and no heating) and my personal pet peeve: Indians eat lunch at 2 or 3 and supper at 9, 10, 11 and even midnight. My system is sooo out of whack. I was so hungry ... read more

PART 1 -- NEW DELHI ANKUNFT........ yo leudde, was soll man sagen - sind am fruehen morgen des 5. 12. aus einem der reichsten laender der welt in eines der aermsten geknallt worden ( haben's ja so gewollt!). sind das 3. mal in indien aber es ist jedesmal derselbe knaller. delhi erwacht und wir schneiden mit unserm gelbschwarzen prepaid taxi durch den dunst, staub und rauch (hauptbestandteile der hiesigen luft- wuerde man das gruenrotschwarzgraue zeug, das zwischen boden und 300 metern hoehe herumnebelt, filtern, koennte man sicher eine tolle asphaltstrasse von spitzbergen bis palermo bauen!) richtung norddelhi in die tibetische enklave, nach majnu ka tilla. sehr nettes guesthouse mit blick auf den yamuna, den fluss ( bei uns sehen fluesse etwas anders aus, in bezug was da so alles im , am, neben dem wasser kreucht ... read more

I am writing this at some ungodly hour of the morning because I can't sleep. So much for getting over jet lag in one day! I had one great day where I felt well, and now I am tired and grumpy. My friend Mychael, who comes here often, says India has a way of causing exhilaration followed by despair. I think I know what he means. He advised not getting affected too much by either, easy to say. My friend Lynne, who has travelled a lot, said basically I will feel like crap for two weeks, so don't worry about it! I just went out on the balcony and saw South Delhi at dawn. Pink air and a flock of black birds rising from the trees. Beautiful. The colour of the air here is enchanting, and ... read more

I have been in Delhi less than 24 hours and already I feel at home. Arrived very late Monday night after a 21 hour journey. The entire trip went very smoothly, and I even made two friends (see pictures) during the journey. Only problem is the jet lag. I feel a bit weird, almost dizzy, and very tired. I am staying with my friend Ajay and his family in south Delhi. Also in the flat are his parents, his brother Vijay, sister-in-law Meera and their daughter Varada, who is seven. Today we sat on their very large marble terrace under the sun. It was about 25 C. Very beautiful in spite of the smog, which has a slightly acrid smell. A man came to the flat with many beautiful shawls and suit fabric. I bought three ... read more