1/21/2006 Day 2 Continued: Touring Delhi

We ended at mid-day at Janpath Hotel and had lunch. My appam and chicken curry weren't very good. But, during lunch, Anne and Paul convinced me to go for the second part of the tour. Rameesh acted like I was a thorn in his side and was obviously hassled. I had to pay Rs. 100 more than the regular full day deal and I finally told the guy, "F$%k it! Just give me the ticket!"

We went to Old Delhi. Before we acgtually hit Old Delhi, we stopped at a beautiful temple where we saw Rameesh get money in his hands from one of the security guards. Our suspicions were raised. Lakshmi Narayan Templewas beautiful and in the prayer area, Rameesh informed us that he was a philospher. This was after he snapped at Anne for not paying attention. He also snapped at Paul when Paul accidently shook his head 'no' to Rameesh's question of "Do you want to know why India is the greatest country in the world?" After berating Paul, he proceeded to boost his country even further by dissing all of ours and telling us of our countries' weaknesses. I walked out of the temple with Paul and Anne and asked, "Did we all just get insulted in a temple?"

We went to the Red Fort next. Ben, who had come for the last half of the tour, was from Australia and started chatting with us. We were all taking pictures in front of the Red Fort when these Indian guys came up to Anne, Paul and I and asked to take a picutre with us. We were completely confused. Ended up, they just wanted to have a picutre with the three of us with their camera. I think the novelty was Paul and Anne because of their tall fair looks. I just happened to be there with them. Ben got bombarded too. Paul and Ben were talking about it when Rameesh reprimanded them for talking while he was talking. He was the guide, he said, and when the guide talks, we all should listen.

The Red Fort was gigantic. I wanted more time there but, it was off to the bus again. The last stop was the place where Ghandi was cremated. Rajghat was incredibly peaceful and beautiful. Hard to believe how much chaos happened in the man's time with how peaceful this place was.

We got dropped off at the Janpath hotel. On the way back, Rameesh came up and gave a flowery speech about getting tipped. We were going to tip him anyway but, were put off by his blatant request. Anne was pissed because she didn't think he did much and only wanted to tip the driver. We ended up giving Rs. 50 each which he shared with the driver.

Anne had a date but, Ben, Paul and I decided to have a drink. I needed to hit a cash machine, desperately. Anne actually invited us to go along with her on her date. We declined. The three of us walked to a cash machine, every few fet getting an auto rickshaw driver asking us if we wanted a ride. After getting to the citibank, we strolled through Connaught Place. It reminded me of Times Square with how active it was in the evening. Down to the scent of stale human urine. We stopped to fiugre out where we were and these guys asked if we needed help. We said were looking for a bar. After turning up our noses at their suggestion of the TGI Fridays (that chain is everywhere!) they suggested the bar we were standing right under. Seems we had to look up to realize that there was one there.

The QTB wasn't far from my hotel. It was funky and chic. Over a couple of beers and sodas, we found out that Paul is a flight attendant and lived with his parnter in D. C. Ben worked in the travel industry and was going to school. He lived with his partner in Australia. It was a little bizarre how the three of us (actually four if you include Anne) worked in the travel industry. We were all bummed when the night ended. I was exhausted.

The guys, being gentlemanly to the core, walked me back to the hotel. At one point, we thought we were lost but, we were on the right track. I did get plowed into by to enebriated fellows walking down the street arm and arm. They were swaggering and stumbling all over the place and careened right into me. But, other than that, I got to my hotel room quite safely. Although, after calling Dan, I found out my mother had been frantically trying to reach me. I guess she was worried that my tour guide was a thief and kidnapper.


*INTERESTING OR UNINTERSTING FACT OR PASSING OBSERVATION OR MAYBE I'M SNIFFING GLUE*
Indians can be very curious and will openly stare at you or, like mentioned above, want to take pictures of you or even talk to you. If you are tall, blonde and foreign, your chances of getting stared at and openly talked about increase ten-fold. Although some of us may view this as rude, no harm is meant by it and it is not considered rude to openly stare. Paul had taken to staring right back. Some kids may tag along after you. And after a day of being at all the tourist sites, being bombarded by hockers, people wanting money, people trying to take advantage of your tourist status, one can be on guard. But, there are people that are helpful just to be helpful--such as the men in front of the QTB bar. Although, it can be hard to find when most of one's time is spent at tourist attractions/areas.

1/21/2006 Day 2 Coninued: Touring Delhi

I'm on a bus on my way to Agra. Of course, a late start. So far, we have a variety of people on this tour from French Canadian to Chinese.

Yesterday was long and tiring. I booked for a half day tour. As I boarded the bus, the man with glasses sat across the aisle from me. Ended up, he was from D. C. I was asking Paul, the American, a question when our tour guide barked at us to be quiet and pay attention. Rameeshe, the guide, we found out liked to bark at those of us who got out of line quite often. Think along the lines of an elementary school outing with a older, slightly bitter chaperone. Paul and I didn't talk again until the second site, Humyan's tomb, for fear of being reprimanded again. We ended up laughing our asses off about it later on.

Rameesh was a middle aged man, short with black hair that was starting to thin. Thick glasses perched upon a bulbous nose and he was bundled up in a scarf, sweaters and a jacket. As if he were battling November in Montana. He liked being in control and didn't like it when one of us lagged or had interest in something other than what he was presenting to us.

Our first stop was Jantar Mantar. The Maharaja Jai Singh II had built it in the 1700's for astronomical observations.

The gigantic red structures were definitely impressive tracking the sun, moon, change of season, etc. It was amazing!






At Humayun's Tomb, we were on our own.
Rameesh was feeling under the weather and wanted to lay on the seats in the back of the bus while we did our exploration. Humayun's Tomb is supposedly what the Taj Mahal is modeled after. Except that it is red and smaller. Humayun's widow had it built as a shrine to him. His tomb is the main one but, there are many other structures surrounding the main tomb that are other tombs. One thing I learned in Delhi and Agra is that long ago, if someone was madly in love with you and you happened to kick the bucket, they would build a huge architectural feat in your honor.

I got Paul to take a picture of me. As I was walking around with my video camera, exploring, a worker saw me walking through the sight and told me to go to a window to look outside. Then a second window. Keep in mind that I would have made my way over anyway--I just happened to be ambling along. But, he stuck his hand out for money and as harsh as this sounds, I didn't give hime any. He didn't show me anything or explain anything and it is exhausting to be bombarded constantly by people trying to sell/scam you.


The third site was the Lotus Temple. It was absolutely gorgeous and tranquil.
The white structure was in the form of a Lotus flower. Before we entered, we were lead to a place where we took off our shoes. We were allowed to take video and photo outside but, were not allowed to once we entered the site. No talking out loud inside. Strict instructions about conduct were given before we were let in. I did have enough time to copy one of the holy writings down: Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not. And should abasement come upon thee, grieve not. For both shall pass away and be no more.--Baha'i llah

As I exited, I started talking to the Belgian girl, Anne. She was the girl who came rushing in last minute before the tour started. She was in India for a month then onto Nepal and Tibet. She had been all over the world. Taking month each year in whatever country. Fascinating.

BTW, I think I was the only person in the tour to make a Neverending Story reference. I thought the temple looked similar to the Empress' palace.

After the Lotus temple, we climbed back in the bus. Rameesh kept on babbling about a shopping center and how it was the best place to shop because even the locals shopped there, and on and on and on. I didn't understand why he was talking about it until the next thing we knew, we were pulling up in front of it. We were herded into the place and bombarded by sales people right and left. I was pissed. I hadn't wanted to shop and was dead tired. Anne told Paul and I that the tour guide makes a comission for bringing us into the store. Whether we buy anything or not. Paul had had it. His guide in Agra the day before kept taking him to shop after shop. He said it was draining. He was right.

So, the three of us opted to go outside and watch the children play across the road at an English Medium school. They were adorable. The headmistress invited us in and we took a tour of the school. Rameesh wasn't too happy.

But, before lunch, we had one more stop. Qutab Minar. The site has the highest tower in India. Rameesh was nice enough to give us the information that they had to close the tower to the public (to go inside) because of a stampede that killed tons of people. That and people throwing themselves off of it. But, even his gory background didn't ruin the moment.It was a little difficult to capture the whole tower in a pictures--especially up close.






*INTERESTING OR UNINTERSTING FACT OR PASSING OBSERVATION OR MAYBE I'M SNIFFING GLUE*
At the time, the exchange rate for money was Rs.44 to $1. Yes, the dollar goes very far and things are very cheap in India. But, that doesn't mean you should be fleeced! EVERYONE will try and get money from you as a tourist. Especially at the sites and when you are on a tour bus. Now, for an American, handing out a few rupees here and a few rupees there doesn't add up a whole lot but, but eventually, it will. It is also not a reason for someone to take advantage. Keep in mind that people trying to sell you stuff outside the attractions can usually be bought a government run gift shop or should be bargained down for at least half the price. Try and use some common sense if you choose to give out money.

1/20/2006 Day 2: Touring Delhi

I am completly exhausted but am compelled to talk about the day. We landed in Delhi late, due to an overcrowding of planes trying to land at the same time. Immigration always makes me sweat. Even though I haven't done anything wrong. Yet. I was sweating anyway. It was 60 degrees Farenheit outside and I was wearing two sweaters.

Of course, immigration, baggage, etc. all took forever but, the hotel driver waited for me. At 1am, after 15 hours of flying I was glad I had a car booked.

The hotel check-in was smooth. The staff was helpful and polite. My room is nice. I mean, I am critical since I work in the business. They need to clean/paint the walls because the scuff marks give the illuission of shabiness. Also, wiping down appliances is a must. But, can I say that the bed is really comfortable! I took a shower, talked to my mom (who had called anxiously about 5 times, the hotel staff told me) and proceeded to stay awake because of jet lag. Finally, I fell asleep. Just to wake two hours later on my own accord right before the alarm went off. Grrr....I could have used that extra five minutes. I brushed my teeth, refreshed and went up for my breakfast. Breakfast was really good. It was on the top floor of the hotel overlooking the smog ridden city. I left after asking the doorman for directions to the tour company and walked to my destination.

And got lost.

I knew I was close but, it was frustrating because I couldn't find it. I asked a couple of randm guys. They pointed. I even asked some police officers who didn't have a clue. I bumped into one of the first guys I had asked and he exclaimed, "You are not there yet?! It's right down there!" He pointed vaguely in a direction.

I stared to walk in the direction of his finger and then, an auto rickshaw driver pulled up. He knew exactly where I was going because he heard the first guy yelling and pointing. He even knew which tour I was taking. Scary. He said he would take me there for Rs. 5. I took him up on it. In the end, I only had 10 and he had no change. He told me not to worry about it--actually giving me the ride for free. Almost unheard of that he wasn't trying to cheat me. He offered to pick me up at the end of my tour and take me back to the hotel for Rs. 10. I agreed. Kinda. I hurried in and booked my half day tour for the day and Agra tour for the next day.

As I walked in, there was a single late thirtish looking man with glasses. I guessed he was American or English. There was a couple speaking together in Hebrew--the woman stared at me as I sat across from her. Another woman in Indian garb who looked European. Christine was her name and she was actually from Spain. And an Asian woman in a showstopping outfit. She had on a white Indian style outfit with her hair tucked under a white scarf. She had about a dozen bindis (those 'dots' that Indian women put on their foreheads) of different colors decorating her forehead in a peacock tail design with the focal point being between her eyebrows. She was wearing boots with cloggy soles. Later on in the day, when it warmed up (it was pretty chilly outside that morning!) she pulled out a huge floppy brimmed camoflauge hat and white gloves. By the way, she pulled the whole outfit off. Not many people could. She was from Korea and a teacher on holiday. More tomorrow about today. I am completely exhausted.


*INTERESTING OR UNINTERSTING FACT OR PASSING OBSERVATION OR MAYBE I'M SNIFFING GLUE*
When transporting from the airport to your destination in India, always, always, always be careful. One should go to the pre-paid taxi stand and pay for a taxi or have a private car with a reliable and reputable company (best done through your hotel if staying at one) waiting for you. Not only will people try to scam you if you do not do this, but it can be dangerous with incidents such as the driver taking his fare out to the middle of nowhere and four guys with knives taking all your things. My car the hotel booked for me was 20 U.S. dollars. Very expensive in India considering my taxi back to the airport was about $4. But, at 1am, after travelling for so long and being a single woman, I figured my well being was worth more than trying to save a few bucks.