Honk if you think I'm sexy

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Aaaaaaaaaaaah!
That is the only word to describe the culture shock we are suffering here. Well, not so much culture shock as shell shock. This place makes Bangkok look like Windsor, Ontario (Moss Vegas for the Aussies). We've heard people complain that Delhi is a filthy place - it's certainly dirty here, but not so much more than southeast Asia that we would remark on it. Actually what really knocks us off our feet here is the mind-boggling over-stimulation. Walking down a street here there are so many things happening at once that you could never hope to catch them all. It's an adventure doing the simplest things.

We spent our first day walking around to try and get the feel of the place - we we didn't feel it so much as IT felt US. Every second step we took we were almost hit by something - bicycle, cycle-rickshaw, tuk-tuk (they have them here too), cow, motorbike, you name it. And oh yeah, Nick laments not bringing his "Honk if you think I'm sexy" shirt....they honk all the time here while they're driving. We suspect it's more recreation than anything else.

We cannot convey the feeling of experiencing Delhi for the first time, but we'll try: put on a CD, preferably Cat Stevens' Greatest Hits....groove to it until the middle of the relaxing song "Moonshadow" - then immediately stop it and put in a Metallica CD and play the song "Master of Puppets" at full volume (older folk can substitute Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" for this last). Once you get up off the floor you've officially been to Delhi.....you're welcome.

It's a good thing that we've got a nice hotel room to take refuge in when we get stressed (Hotel Mohan International in the Paharganj area), and that they serve some of the best chai (tea) we've ever had. One of the best things we did was book the hotel online a few days before we arrived, since they offered a free shuttle from the airport. This minimized the psychological "damage" on arrival and allowed us to avoid all the touts trying to get us to their own respective hotels for a large commission.

Another good thing we did was book ourselves on a tour of the city for the second day - 5 bucks each to get ferried around most of the major sites for the whole day (except the Red Fort - unfortunately it's closed all week in anticipation of Republic Day). The trip was well worth it, not least because it allowed us to sit back, relax and enjoy some of the amazing cultural sites without the stress of organizing and navigating - we also met some nice people on our tour. One woman visiting Delhi from Mumbai (Bombay) talked to us for a while, then promptly invited us to visit her in Bombay! (We might take her up on it, especially if we're super stressed)

Among the tour highlights were Humayun's Tomb (Taj-Mahalesque World Heritage site), Qutub Minar (gigantic minaret dating from the 12th century) and the Bahai temple. Interestingly, the Bahai religion preaches unity, equality and peace between all religions (fancy that). The Bahai (or lotus) temple was built in 1987 by some Canadian guy that we've never heard of. Typically Canadian, eh?

Today we're trying to organize ourselves onwards to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, and we're thinking then that we'll head around Rajasthan. We've abandoned plans to venture east to Varanasi and Calcutta since the travelling distance is so large (and the transit system not the greatest we have heard). We've even looked into hiring a car and driver to get around, since it's not too expensive and it seems others do it in Rajasthan.

Sorry for the lack of photos on this one....we've been to three different internet cafes, and it seems it's impossible for us to upload photos. We'll try again later or in Agra.

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Photos

India
It only requires a little light reading.

Sun Dial
I'd say it was about 9:30 AM, wouldn't you?

The Bahai (Lotus) Temple
Why do they call it the Lotus Temple?

Comments

[Darn]

Sensory-overload it is!
Yes, over-stimulation is an accurate way to describe the India experience! It will not change...and that's what makes it most memorable. I expect you will love Rajasthan as much as I did. Watch out for ornery camels!

[Jen and Muzz]

Delhi Belly Anyone
Great to hear you are still having fun. Can't wait for your first tale of Delhi Belly (you think it won't happen to you........). Keep well, travel safe, thinking of you both. Cheers and beers, Your Yobbo Mates.