So Here's The Real Dehli!
Trip Start
Aug 21, 2006
1
54
70
Trip End
Dec 18, 2006
New Dehli,
India
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Met up with a few other travelers in the lobby and we decided to set off exploring the Connaught Place area of the city. As we headed for the Metro we were convinced to get auto-rickshaws instead for an incredible initial low price. I say initial, because as it turned out, the associated hassle negated the cost savings. We were followed around by our drivers and then by multitudes of other trying to 'help' us find our way into different markets and shops. It appears that we were sucked into the standard 'tout' scam we had been reading about
01-Auto-rickshaw street view
. Their persistence was remarkable and we just kept saying no and no until we finally found a cafe where they couldn't follow us to just catch our breath! We also had a couple of guys following us from behind who seemed to be keeping tabs on our whereabouts via cell phone to others...it was quite hilarious actually.We wondered around fairly aimlessly for a while until we found a really nice guy who gave up tips, took us to a Sikh Temple and then to a smaller, local Hindu Temple. We saw lots of kids around school and of course many stray dogs on the street. The smells of spices and incense and at times, garbage and smoke all around us.
We ended up in a 'government' market shop where I bought a traditional Indian three piece shirt, pants and scarf outfit as well as a 100% pashima shawl. The sleeves were sewn on to the long shirt as we waited. I bargained the whole price down from around 4,000 Rupees to 2,600 Rupees (probably still too much but what can you do?) At around 42 USD per Rupee it wasn't a bad deal. Now I will have something more in keeping with the local culture to wear during our tour in the small towns of Northern India.
We grabbed another auto-rickshaw for the ride back to the hotel all five of us tucked into this incredibly small space
02-Goofing Around
. As we were deep in conversation we suddenly crashed into the back of the car in front of us. It appears that someone had fallen off of their motorbike into the street causing a multiple vehicle accident. Luckily, aside from a few bruises, we were all ok...a little shaken up perhaps. Our driver had a cut on his head and the front of his auto-ricksaw was smashed and it no longer worked. We paid him his fare and walked the short distance back to the Hotel. I hired a guide for the day tomorrow starting at 10am to see some more of the temples and monuments for 600 Rupees. Quite a deal I think.
The day is turning to dusk right now and the breeze is picking up. The sounds of Hindi and of children running through the streets, vehicles honking and roaring past the door continue.
