Delhi Marathon
Trip Start
Sep 22, 2006
1
4
7
Trip End
Oct 05, 2006
Delhi,
India
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Room Service. Check.
Arrange a car to pick Beth up at the airpor that evening. Check.
Arrange for a car (preferabl Santosh) to take me around sightseeing. Check.
Exchange money. Check.
Call mom in the States and verify safe arrival. Check.
Take impossibly long, hot shower. Check.
Bush Camel
Bottle of water (evian was freely supplied to the room) in hand, I went out to see as much of Delhi as possible. First stop, President's Palace. I notice that the tour book called it a Residence, but Santosh (the previous night's driver) referred to it as a Palace. I agreed with Santosh. It was a bit big. It was closed that day, presumably the goverment was in bed recuperating from the previous night's festivities. Still I was able to wander around a bit and peek through the gates. I met a British family there who was lovely and let me walk around with them so I was less of a target for the moped-taxis looking for a fare ('missy, you want get in this ride' sounded a bit pervy to me especially after the guy circled around me 5 times).
Santosh came back finally and picked me up (you couldnt park anywhere around the Palace so he had to drive around). After recounting my adventure to him, he was very adamant that he accompany me at India Gate. In hindsight, I was grateful. Although, walking around with a man in a hotel uniform got me quite a bit of attention, it was much more interesting since he pointed out several things that I would have missed on my own. India Gate was interesting historically but not architecturally. After a while, you see one arch, youve seen them all. Sorry to say it. It was loaded with vendors and children, all of whom aproach you at the same time it seems.
The rest of the day, I accomplished seeing the Qtab Minar, Red Fort and my absolute favorite, Humayuns Tomb Complex. I went in on my own and wandered around for about 3 hours. It was lovely to leisurely stroll through and take everything in at my own pace. I know that the Taj Mahal is much more impressive, but I liked Humayuns Tomb Complex better in some ways
Dark and Scary Stairwell
. It was more manageably impressive if that makes sense, and the entire complex lent itself to a feeling of solitide which was rare in a country like India. At any rate, I was still able to accomplish being a jackass American before I left. First off, it was not my fault. Second, if there are going to be areas where I cannot enter they should be so noted or roped off or something. Anyhoo, I found a scary dark stairwell and went up, as one should when finding such a stairwell, I got to the top of one of the tombs and wandered around for a bit before being spotted. I was given a verbal lashing from below but since it was in a language other than the one I spoke, I figured it didnt count. Seemed logical. Well, eventually I had to come down as the man screaming at me from below started to get noticed and therefore I was becoming a spectacle. Being alone, foreign, and female, I figured it was best to exit stage right. And quickly.Back at the car, Santosh opened up a cooler of ice and beautfully condensated water bottles and I instantly became passive and suddenly quite tired. It had been a long day. When I asked to go back to the hotel, he argued and insisted on taking me shopping. This was to be my first taste of India "salesmanship."
Up next, Shopping at Saga Department Store and escaping the Rug Man. The Marathon Day continues...
