Namaste from Delhi

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A week in India and already we know how to say hello in Hindi. At this rate we will know 52 words by the time we get back.

Already we are pretty templed out. We have seen Hindu, Sikh, Jainist temples and an interesting modern Baha'i place called the Lotus Temple, which in the spirit of general peace and harmony is dedicated to all faiths. Outside it looked a bit like the Sydney opera house. Inside is a large circular area for prayer and meditation which as far we could see was actually being used by people of different faiths sitting side by side. May be something like this should be tried in the UK!

We have befriended a tuk tuk (auto rickshaw) driver by the name of Mr Singh, a charming Sikh fellow who picked us up outside the Museum of Modern Art on Saturday and has been driving us around ever since. The deal we have with him is that he gives us his 'best' hourly rate (which we are sure is actually pretty generous, but still works out to only GBP1.20 per hour) on the basis that we agree to be dropped off at a couple of shopping outlets where he gets commission. He gets Rp50 (about 60p) commission if we stay 10 mins - not dependent on whether we buy anything. All of these places want to sell you 'top quality' Kashmiri carpets. Actually the carpets are very good - all look hand crafted in silk or Kashmiri wool, but there is no way we are going to cart one of these around for 12 months, so we are perfecting the art of politely avoiding what can be a pretty hard sell (of course, local people love to haggle, and so when you say you are not interested this is interpreted as a negotiating tactic and the price starts coming down). After 10 minutes (by which time the original price has come down about 50%) Mr Singh appears as a sign that he has got his commission, at which point we make our excuses and leave - skillfully avoiding a stream of salesmen enticing us to look at jewelry, pashminas etc etc.

Everyone tells us that it is cooling down in Delhi, by which they must mean that the average daytime temperature is down to around 35 degrees. We have another few days here and then we plan to head north to Rishikesh. This is in Uttaranchal which is in the foothills of the Himalayas and so should be a bit cooler and more peaceful than Delhi. The place is apparently full of Ashrams, where you can spiritually cleanse body and soul with some yoga. Its also the place where the Beatles met the Maharishta, which inspired the Sargent Peppers album - so we will be looking for some similar inspiration!

Be in touch soon.

Cheers

David and Dee

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Photos

Us at the Sikh Temple
Note the orange headgear!

At the Sikh Temple
Note the orange headgear!

Comments

[Paul &Marie]

The hourly rate is a bit high!
Dave and Dee Mrs Singh must really be a good friend by now. You must be a bit more strict at setting a good rate, his is far too high! Maybe though I am more familiar with the rates in Goa where we would get better than that even by the coast. Hey whats all this about worship! and temples - if you visit them all,you will have no time for anything else. Found any good eateries - how are your stomachs holding up? Paul and Marie

[Adam Weekes]

Hi, from my lunch break
The Multi faith temple sounds cool. Also, £1:20 per/h for a personal cab, Un-freakin-believable!!! I wish it were that cheep in London. How many Starbucks have you seen in Delhi? God speed. Adam.

[Mike Reardon]

Iron Pillar
I recall being shown a pillar somewhere in Delhi - evidently it is thousand of years old and has never rusted. It will bring you eternal good luck if you can wrap your arms around the pillar backwards and touch your fingers together (that is with your pillar resting on your back - easier than it sounds). In order to guarantee sucess there is an assistant (who you should tip generously) who will grab your arms and virtually pull them out of their sockets untill you fingers touch. The exeprinece carries my recommendation (well, I never looked back did I?).

[Carla Franklin]

Hello from Hayes (kent)
Hi Gald to hear your making a new friend, and helping him out ecominically...and with all the temple visiting you should come back very enl9ightened. We've (Carlos and me) put up the garden fence and Pearl is going to paint it! The painting of the entrance hall is finished and the carpet has arrived (at the Yard) to put down in a few weeks. Take care... love the HAYES Crew!

[Denise and Jeff]

Good to hear from you!
Hi Dave and Dee, this is really good to be able to read about all your adventures!! Sound Brilliant so far! Mum is coming round later as she wants to type you a message. Take care xx D J K and L xx

[Clint]

Hi
Hello Dee+Dave, great that you got a blog going, think of all the rupees it saves on mob calls :) Interesting info on the carpets and The Beatles/Maharishi link...you know, Im sure I Did hear (late sixties I think) that, of all those carpets youre being shown, 1, yes only 1 is actually magic!! (Jimi H refered to it in a song title) Ha Ha so dont completely ignor them!! Keep well and safe and look forward to your next update. xx

[Weeksie]

Hi from Delhi
Hi Clint great to hear from you rubies are great and beer is less than GBP1 a pint-what could be better Be in touch soon Dave and Dee xxx