DAY 1 : INDIA : Delhi

Weather : smoggy and fine : max 30o

Trouble-free travel day yesterday with all our luggage and ticketing processed in Canberra. Mark enjoyed good leg room in exit seats on 2 Cathay flights, so we arrived in relaxed state at midnight in New Delhi. We were met by one of the representatives of the company, who have organised our itinerary. Vishu transported us to our hotel, Nidra, close to the international airport. Perfect for our needs - clean, quiet, attentive staff and an excellent restaurant.

 

Vishu greeted us with traditional marigold wreaths.

 

We were able to organise a driver today to take us through the hectic traffic to central Delhi for our first foray. We were here 40 years ago and now it resembles more of a construction site and the smog has certainly increased. Much of the city has been partitioned off for the development of a Metro system, which will run for 86 kilometres when completed. There are signs of the Moghul and English occupations, with fine buildings and gardens but much of the city is in dusty disrepair.

 

Government building built by British

 

Gardens near the Congress building

We visited two markets. The Dilli Haat is an outdoor market with cottage industry specialities from all over India. We enjoyed chatting to stall holders - most wanted to discuss cricket at length as Australia is on tour here but of course, they were trying to nail a sale. Very persistent salesmen but I was prepared and it was fun bargaining. The main line was that I was their first customer of the day and if I bought something then they would have good luck. The second store was closer to the centre of the city and is run by the government and it is The Cottage Industry Emporium. Here prices are set and there is a good range of local products.

 

Dilli Haat Market

The traffic was amazing. There is absolute chaos - lane changing - 5 lanes to 3 lanes regardless of road markings. Some people just blast their horn and drive through blindly. Fortunately large lorries are restricted to travelling between 9pm and 6am otherwise the traffic would be at a permanent standstill. I was fascinated by all the signage along the way on billboards and on the side of cars. My favourite today was one advertising marriage websites - www.matrimonyrajput.com or www.matrimonysikh.com. When we were here 40 years ago there were columns and columns of marriage advertisements in the local rags...now it is global.

 

Every man for himself

 

After school traffic joins the throng

Tomorrow we head for Rajasthan...

M&M
mm_smith@bigpond.net.au