Indian Express

• Kalsi_kaur's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from New Delhi

Trip Start Aug 09, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Aug 2009 Next
Entry

  New Delhi, India
Tuesday, December 2, 2008

We said goodbye to Singapore and hello to Delhi's smog and dust as we arrived at the Indira Gandhi airport. There was a bit of a haze inside the terminal as we waited and waited for our luggage, and we wondered if this was normal for air quality throughout the City.  Security was tight but we didn't have any problems and were extremely relieved to see Rajiv's uncle and cousins  waiting for us outside the terminal. It was almost 3 a.m. and they had waited patiently to pick us up.

We stayed with Rajiv's uncle and family for about 5 days, doing the family rounds and a bit of sightseeing. 

The Delhi roads are not for the faint of heart.   We weren't sure if we were going to come out alive after the first nerve wrecking experience of driving with Rajiv's uncle during rush hour

First morning in Delhi with Rajiv's cousin

.  With no rules (none that we could see), he whizzed between lanes and  other vehicles, with no indication and constant honking, almost running over pedestrians and cyclists at the same time.  About 5 to 6 rows of vehicles are always fitted into a two lane road, occupying every inch of space and not leaving any room between cars.  That first day we thought we would leave a string of mangled bodies in our path, or at least scrapes and dents on other vehicles. But surprisingly, in our five days here, we have not seen an accident or fender bender! The key to driving or walking here is to always keep moving and somehow you will get to where you need to be.

An organization here in Delhi, the Salaam Baalak Trust, offers street walks, where the guide is a former street child and shows first hand what it's like for the inner-city homeless kids.  The walk was about 2 hours and very insightful. The organization works with runaway kids, and kids whose parents have a drug habit and force the children to beg and support this addiction. They also help kids whose families have been living for generations in the slums by providing safe havens, food, shelter and education. Our guide was a bright 20 year-old who was conducting the tour to improve his English and people skills as he worked towards a career in the tourism industry. It was nice to be able to see that things are not hopeless for the countless numbers of kids who end up on the streets, and that there are groups trying to help them

Delhi Walk - conferring with the guide

.

The day before the walk my (Rajiv's) 18 year -old cousin took us to one of the indoor malls springing up in the Delhi suburbs. These malls are much like ours in Canada, only more opulent, with manicured grounds and architectural walkways and fountains outside, and   open, spotless interiors. It was the first time we felt a sense of spaciousness since being in India. What a contrast to the chaotic streets and allyways! It also seems to represent the two Indias, one full of the masses living day by day existences, the other, the few who can afford everything and more that we have in the West.

We travel to Rajasthan on Sunday and we are happy to leave Delhi, with its noise, traffic and pollution for a hopefully quieter desert get-away.........anything has to be quieter after Delhi.
 
 

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Old Delhi street scene	smoggy entrance to Parliament	coconut stand	family time with the kids
fun in the park	India Gate	Iskcon Temple	Iskcon Temple in Delhi with Rajiv's cousin
looking at Chandini Chowk	monument near India Gate	New Delhi subway system	Red Fort
sikh temple	view from Parliament	wildlife in Delhi

Slideshow Print this entry Share New Delhi hotels

Previous Entry Next Entry