Hello New Delhi, Goodbye New Delhi

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  Delhi, India
Thursday, October 2, 2008

From now on please expect sloppy grammar, poor spelling and a general lack of literary style. I know you were all getting used to my complex, lyrical prose but I'm on the road now. I'll be lucky if I remember how to form complete sentences. Anyway. Here we go...

Got into Delhi on Sunday night without a scratch. The flight wasn't all that bad at just under fourteen hours. The pilot informed us before landing that Delhi was a balmy 86 degrees and typically "hazy". That didn't sound too bad. What he didn't tell us was that "hazy"actually means lung-searing and eye-scorching pollution that makes Los Angeles seem like Rocky Mountain National Park. Seriously, from the time I exited the airport into the New Delhi night it was an assault on my respiratory system.

All the guide books told me to be prepared for smells, smells and more smells

Welcome

. The more I read this the more I began to worry why they weren't being specific. What kind of smells? Curry? Incense? That's what they want you to believe. Diesel fumes, burning trash and wood, sewage, urine, animal dung, and who knows what else is what hit me wave after wave on the cab ride to my hotel. Still, I wasn't (nor am I) complaining. It is what it is.

Speaking of cab rides...I was supposed to get picked up at the airport by a hotel driver. Needless to say I was pretty nervous and excited when I got off the plane. Here I was alone in a city of 14 million people and didn't have a clue which end was up. I didn't see anyone outside the exit holding a sign with my name on it as promised. I spent a few minutes adjusting my backpack and looking around like a bewildered, well tourist, for a few minutes. That was long enough for the travel fairies to tattoo "Sucker" all over my face and  body.

A friendly guy came up to me offering his services as a cab driver. I knew what was about to happen, I saw it coming but I did it any way. He lead me away from the airport exit a hundred or so feet away towards a row of cabs in the dark. It was a bit of a scary scene but I didn't feel in any imminent danger (it was my wallet that was screaming "Get OUT!"). Long story short, he offered to have his partner take me where I wanted to go for a mere $52 U.S

Home for a night

. Being gifted in the art of haggling I easily talked him down to about $30 ( the going rate for a trip like that is about $7.50). Like I said, I knew I was getting taken (the guide books and advice from those of you who have been there told me so) but there was really no helping it.

Turned out my driver didn't speak any English. Half way though an absolutely insane drive dodging cows, buses, broken down horse drawn contraptions and even little children I tried to make sure he was taking me to the right hotel.

"Excuse me," I asked "We're going to Hare Krishna Guest House, correct."

"Hare Rama Guest House, yes," he said.

"No! Hare Krishna. In Paharganj. New to New Delhi Railway Station!." I was getting panicked.

"Yes," he said.

I tried speaking Hindi to him, asking basically "Where the F is the train station?, but it was useless

HBO was extra

. I realized I just had to accept my fate. Wherever this guy was taking me was where I was going to go. I just settled in and enjoyed the ride.

About ten minutes later we arrived at Hare Rama Guest house just like his buddy back at the airport had planned (it's probably his cousins place). I put on my best no nonsense attitude and demanded that he take me to Hare Krishna Guest House. He didn't understand at first but I was insistent. Finally he understood.

"Hare Krishna, there."

I turned around and there it was just like the picture on the website. I couldn't believe it. That was a close one.

Well, got to go for now. I know it doesn't sound like it from that story but I am being very careful so don't worry. A few days into it now and I'm starting to get the hang of it. I'm having a great time already and I know it's going to get even better. It's nothing like I imagined. It's a beautiful place but also a very disturbing place. So much poverty and sadness. It's more than overwhelming. I cry a lot about it but I would be worried about myself if I didn't. I'll try and describe it to you all as I get along here but I don't think words or pictures can really convey what's going on here. Up in Dharamsala now. Will write more later.

A few photos and much love for now...

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I dont' need no stinkin' tp	Verification	Street scene	Safety first
Another street scene

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