The Gates of India

It was not my first trip, but definitely one of the most memorable ones. And I tell you I will return there :)

You know that feeling of exitement when you go to the new place. Especially if you are alone and/or do not know the language. This time I was not alone, but nevertheless it felt amazing.

The plane was quite empty (now I understand why flights are expensive from Kyiv) and lasted for 6 hours (the maximum that I plan to break next week). Tasty strange food, smiling crew, it felt totally ok till we started landing..

..around 1 a.m. It was my first Eastern destination and I was scared to hell with the city how I saw it from the airplane. When you fly over Rome, Barcelona, Istanbul, you get a gorgeous view. But there are other types of huge cities: huge, quite dark with a great deal of just several-floor houses. The blood was pumping and I felt too excited (It seemed it the city could be quite dangerous). The first shock when we went out of the plane was the number of dark people. Do not get me wrong, we almost do not see dark-skinned people in Ukraine and here you go! :)

The temperature outside the airport (around +30) turned it into the beginning of the `Beach` movie with Leo DeCaprio. We had a hotel booked, so decided not to risk and take airport taxis (there is a window you can arrange your trip at). It took us 500 RP for 5 persons (100 RP per person) to get to Main Bazaar area. Here is how those cabs look like:

The adventure started right away cos the driver tried to make us leave the car before we got to hotel (you pay at the window, not to him. If you ever pay to driver, do it in the end of the trip when you are by your hotel). We just kept sitting and it worked lol. Actually it is common thing in Delhi to say you have lost the road (and drive in circles)..just agree on the destination and pay in the end. Sometimes driver can really get lost - don`t pay and find another one nearby.

The hotel where we had the bookings (Vivek) was full (obviously nobody waited for us) and our group split in parts to find where to sleep. My friend and me found a place not far (I wonder if it had a name, heh). It was quite cheap, had no windows and hot water, but who cared cos it was around 3 am and we had to wake up soon. As you see, it had a flat TV - a special thing about India:

In Delhi you better wake up early, get a light breakfast and start looking around. It will be really hot during the day, the air will be saturated with million smells (in the beginning it was quite tough to get used to them, but it felt totally ok a bit later). We took tuk-tuk and started the ride:

I have to admit that I used Ps to delete litter:

A few words about metro in Delhi. It is huge and really comfy. Each time you get inside you get symbolically scanned for metal. You can use a card or coins to get the ride (keep the coin cos you will need it to exit the metro). It was the first and the only country where I saw a special wagon for women (quite free compared to the male ones) with a policeman and dog guarding the border.

Delhi is a huge city: after an hour of ride you get a feeling it never ends:

Smt you might have a feeling the construction is not over. It is :)

Education is quite expensive and not forced:

One of my favourite places in the city. You will have to pay much more if you are a foreigner (as far as I recall 225 Rp). Logical approach.

A glance at a Lotus Garden:

Noticed a thing: once a person climbs a social ladder a bit, he becomes quite rude to ppl `under` him. It was quite interesting to compare the behaviour of waiters in Ukraine and India when you pay ~30 euro for the dish. Felt like a white person, lol. But it was not that tasty :/ You pay for treatment if you need it.

Want to hug a girl? Go to park :) Otherwise it is not that easy:

It was interesting to invent stories of ppl like this girl:

Siesta:

Delhi at night. I visited a friend who lived in a quiet region (Rancy, hi!!):

The city is really loud and busy - sellers try to get rid of their goods for the best price possible, people dye clothes and dry it just above your heads, wedding marches start suddenly (omg, they play anything they can grab and it does not have to sound like a harmony), roof top cafes - be sure to visit them, it is incredible experience. You can buy anything there (including a souvenir I got in Barcelona for 19 euro..130 Rp, heh). Be sure to try new stuff (just be careful with buying it on the streets) - it is too new and smt the taste can shock you..but we come to India for that.

Important details:

1) Money

You can buy Rupees only in India, but it is much better not to do it in the airport (ppl have no choice but to exchange them there, so that just think about the exchange rate). You cannot do it in banks, too, at least it is not too easy for a foreigner. Basically everyone will happily exchange your dollars on streets, in hotels, in any market, etc (you have to bargain for a good rate). But be very carefull cos you might not ever see them again. First rupees, then $. I had a case when they seemed to gather the money around the whole neighbourhood for me. Poor in Ukraine is rich in India, so beware.

2) Mobile connection

Better buy a sim card in the airport (you will need to show your passport). Each time you try to put money on card in any other city, tell them you bought your sim in Delhi (otherwise you will not be able to use money. And believe me they mean it when say that customer support is from India).

3) Transport 

Delhi is a huge and hot city. Grab tuk-tuks when you go somewhere: they are cheap and exotic :) 

4) Bargaining

Yes, you are a `white chicken` and you will stay one. But be sure always to get the price lower in 2-4 times minimum :) Somehow I was always taken for a girl from Holland, so that it took me some time to make them take my `starving family` into account. Enjoy the process and always check what you get ) e.g. always go to hotel room and check it (including water). The sheets in the room will not always be that clean and no matter the room, you will get a garbage view. Get used to it :) I recall they always asked for tips..and an interesting moment was when my Indian friend showed me that I do not have to give it all the time. Support only good service and never feel guilty you `had ability to go to school`.