Since arriving in Delhi we have stayed in two different hostels, both cost us 500 rupees (about £5) each, per night. The Ajay Guest House was, literally, a building site, with one corner of the building seemingly being removed and replaced from top to bottom. Fortunately, the tireless work force did down tools before we were ready to sleep each night. The grandly-named 'Gold Regency' replaced hammers and drills with horns, sirens and prayer calls from the nearby mosque.
The rooms were much of a muchness, one double and one single bed in each. Our first experience of Indian bathrooms has been exactly that - an experience! We are yet to learn the purpose of the large bucket and plastic jug that appears as standard (any thoughts to willthorp91@gmail.com, thanks)... All three of us have taken quickly to the toilet feature eloquently dubbed the 'arse wash'. Turning a small tap at the side of the loo quickly deems paper redundant. The Gold Regency must have splashed out on this kit, fired into the open it sends a powerful jet crashing into the wall opposite!
Outside, the main bazaar is a taste of Delhi never to be forgotten. If there is one clothes stall, drinks counter, money changer on this kilometre stretch, there are 20. The inexperienced struggle to forge a path through the sea of touts, merchants, tuk-tuks, rickshaws and the occasional cow. White faces are stopped at every door, greeted pleasantly and, if not careful, swiftly fleeced for whatever they are worth!
Our first escape from the bazaar came with our walk to Connaught Place, the central circle of Pahar Gangh. Here the market stalls, dodgy tourist offices and street vendors collide with Costa and McDonald's in an unlikely marriage of India and the West.
On the first full day spent in Delhi we decided to sight-see on foot. This proved to be a top decision in one sense and less so in another. Walking the streets of Delhi allowed us a glimpse of how the city lives, right down to its considerable homeless population. In a taxi or tuk-tuk it is all to easy to ignore or miss your surroundings. The downside to walking is that, in a city so vast, you get little done. In one full day we managed a distant gaze (and plenty of photos) at India Gate, temporarily closed to visitors and guarded by heavily armed police, and a stroll round the modern art gallery. We were soon to learn that taking to the road held serious advantages.
The following day brought with it cold, pouring rain and a wholesale change to the shape of our plans for India. What began as a walk to the train station to make some ticket inquiries ended in paying a tour company to drive us around Delhi for the remainder of that day and the next and to guide us through Agra and Rajasthan. So as I write, we are sat in a car with Aamir our new friend and driver, on a 6 hour drive to Agra. The Taj Mahal lies in wait...
(The sightseeing picked up rapidly over the last couple of days. We have seen countless temples, mosques and museums.
Picks of the bunch:
The Red Fort
Swaminarayan Akshardham - A Hindu temple and so much more. By consensus of the three of us the most beautiful and awe-inspiring place in Delhi.
Indira Gandhi Museum -
The assassinated prime minister (over two separate terms) of India is hero worshiped by the people here.)
Will
The rooms were much of a muchness, one double and one single bed in each. Our first experience of Indian bathrooms has been exactly that - an experience! We are yet to learn the purpose of the large bucket and plastic jug that appears as standard (any thoughts to willthorp91@gmail.com, thanks)... All three of us have taken quickly to the toilet feature eloquently dubbed the 'arse wash'. Turning a small tap at the side of the loo quickly deems paper redundant. The Gold Regency must have splashed out on this kit, fired into the open it sends a powerful jet crashing into the wall opposite!
Outside, the main bazaar is a taste of Delhi never to be forgotten. If there is one clothes stall, drinks counter, money changer on this kilometre stretch, there are 20. The inexperienced struggle to forge a path through the sea of touts, merchants, tuk-tuks, rickshaws and the occasional cow. White faces are stopped at every door, greeted pleasantly and, if not careful, swiftly fleeced for whatever they are worth!
Our first escape from the bazaar came with our walk to Connaught Place, the central circle of Pahar Gangh. Here the market stalls, dodgy tourist offices and street vendors collide with Costa and McDonald's in an unlikely marriage of India and the West.
On the first full day spent in Delhi we decided to sight-see on foot. This proved to be a top decision in one sense and less so in another. Walking the streets of Delhi allowed us a glimpse of how the city lives, right down to its considerable homeless population. In a taxi or tuk-tuk it is all to easy to ignore or miss your surroundings. The downside to walking is that, in a city so vast, you get little done. In one full day we managed a distant gaze (and plenty of photos) at India Gate, temporarily closed to visitors and guarded by heavily armed police, and a stroll round the modern art gallery. We were soon to learn that taking to the road held serious advantages.
The following day brought with it cold, pouring rain and a wholesale change to the shape of our plans for India. What began as a walk to the train station to make some ticket inquiries ended in paying a tour company to drive us around Delhi for the remainder of that day and the next and to guide us through Agra and Rajasthan. So as I write, we are sat in a car with Aamir our new friend and driver, on a 6 hour drive to Agra. The Taj Mahal lies in wait...
(The sightseeing picked up rapidly over the last couple of days. We have seen countless temples, mosques and museums.
Picks of the bunch:
The Red Fort
Swaminarayan Akshardham - A Hindu temple and so much more. By consensus of the three of us the most beautiful and awe-inspiring place in Delhi.
Indira Gandhi Museum -
The assassinated prime minister (over two separate terms) of India is hero worshiped by the people here.)
Will
So lovely to see you are all alive and well and having an amazing time from the sounds of it! Sounds like it's a totally new experience. Great to see some photos too, I hope you're taking loads. Keep the blog up, it's the highlight of my week and gives us something to read while stuck in under deep snow!
ReplyDeletelook after each other and enjoy.
Love Muth xxx
Sounds like you're all having a great time - we're appreciating the info you're passing on. (The large bucket and plastic jug are possibly to give bathroom-mimicking bedside facilities, for those with the curry-hurry-ups of Delhi-belly!!)
ReplyDeleteThis is buzzy! Please keep writing more as I love knowing what you're up to while I'm sat bored out of my mind writing essays...
ReplyDeletePlease stay safe :)