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We've arrived in Delhi yesterday about 4:00 pm local time. Just for information we are 9.5 hours ahead of ET, 10.5 hours ahead of CT. We spend a couple of days in Delhi, then move on to Agra then Jaipur. At then end of the week we come back to Delhi for a night and then we'll fly to Nepal for 3 days.
Flying Air India was interesting. As we were taxing to the runway, the crew came up and down the aisle spraying a can of mist. We were told this is required by the Indian government on flights to and from India to kill any harmful insects. Not harmful to humans they say, although we'll see if we start acting more weird than usual in the near future.
This was the longest non-stop flight I've had so far. Even the 22 hours to travel to Borneo had 2 stops. 13 hours and 15 min can seem an eternity when you aren't someone who can sleep on planes and the movie selection was slim and all more than a year old. Had seen them all but one, and there was a reason I didn't see that one. Thank
goodness for Kindle and my iPad.
The guide met those of us on the tour at the airport and we drove a short distance to the hotel touring small parts of New Delhi, the British influence everywhere, especially given they drive on the left.
Our hotel is amazing! 5 Star in any country! I can't believe we are in this given how little we paid for this tour but our guide assured us the rest won't be quite this level. It's a Shangri-La Eros for those familiar with the brand, look it up if you're not. I would equate to an Omni at least back home, if not better. There is a lot of security here at the hotel after the bombing in Mumbai. Cars have to searched entering, then your bags are run through an x-ray while you go through a metal detector.
The guide recommended a small local eatery down from the hotel, about a 5 min walk he said, for us, it was longer. We decided to try it since we didn't want to go to bed too early. So E and I experienced our first beggars. It's very sad to have a small child come up and touch your hand begging for something, or a mother carrying an emaciated child asking for anything, even our water bottle. But as we've read and our guide stated, you just can't give in cause then you are swamped.
We found our little local eatery, next to the McDonald's. No hamburgers there of course, just veggie burgers and spicy chicken. At the eatery we had no idea what to order, even though we eat at Indian restaurants in the Ghandi district at home, so he suggested some ghee, which was just mashed rice with different dipping sauces. Quite good. And of course I had to have my sweet lassis, they yogurt drink I love at home.
Much more to come as we start serious touring tomorrow. As always, if you don't want to get these blogs, just let me know through the comments. No problem. Till next time.
M&E
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Lillian
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Great Trip
So glad you are sending the blog....have fun...trip sounds interesting...can't wait to hear more about your adventures.