Welcome to Delhi

After over 10 hours of trains through India we've arrived in Delhi. We (being me, Martyn and Karen, everyone say hi! We met at volunteering, she's a primary school teacher from Texas. We got on great so when she wanted to travel for another week we all decided to do it together) took the scenic "toy" train from Shimla to for 20 rupees (25p) each. It was filled with stunning views but after an hour and a half the views didn't quite make up for the long slow journey of 6 hours...!

In Kalka we grabbed a cup of chai and chilled in the executive lounge and waited for the next train. Thankfully we'd treated ourselves to "CC" class (see below) for the next part of the journey and it flew by!

Arriving in Delhi was just what we remembered when we arrived in India; hot, humid, noisy and crowded. Yet we were no way as phased as we had been before. Turns out 2 months in India does help you acclimatise! Although it was loud and busy, it was no longer threatening. Regardless we jumped into a taxi as we didn't really want to walk to the hotel with massive bags and in the dark.

We were dumped next to a poorly lit, sleepy crowded alleyway and just told to walk. Eep! We walked for a short way and did find the hotel. The guys were friendly and while we were checking in we met a guy from Swansea that was definitely overwhelmed. He was changing his trip to get out of Delhi asap.

We had a much needed early night and Karen got up at the crack of dawn the next day to go to Jaipur to ride an elephant. 

Meanwhile we had a lie in and went to explore the city. 

The Red Fort was huge. It's an amazing piece of architecture built by the Mughals. There are many smaller buildings inside, each with intricate designs. It's amazing to think it was all done by hand.

A few minutes walk from the fort is the Jama Masjid mosque, yet another amazing building. Its so imposing, cutting into the skyline, pumping out the call to prayer. At the entrance we were stopped by 2 guys who pointed out the rules to us, the whole time we've been in India I have always dressed respectfully, and definitely covered up. But the guys at the entrance decided I wasnt covered up enough and gave me a bright pink coverall. Martyn was wearing shorts and had to wear a sarong and then they searched our bag and charged us 300 rupees as we had a camera, even though we weren't going to use it.

In the mosque area we just felt uncomfortable. Several people actually laughed and pointed. We didn't go in the mosque proper as we just didn't feel welcome, which is a shame as we've been made to feel so welcome in every other religious place we've been, including other mosques.

To get back to the hotel and freshen up before dinner we hopped in a tuk tuk or autorickshaw and drive straight into rush hour traffic. There are horns blaring constantly and no such things as lanes. There were at least 2 occasions where we were nearly crushed by 2 buses pulling in towards us! It was a fun ride, even with the near death experiences ;)

To finish the night we stopped at a dhaba (24hr cheap diner) for a thali (mixed curry and rice plate), drank chai and watched the world go by.

What a hectic 24 hours! Who knows what the next 24 will bring...

Footnote:

Unreserved 2nd class: Wooden or plastic seats. Very full! Very cheap!

Sleeper class: Same as above but with triple bunk beds for overnight travel.

AC Chair (CC): Comfortable, reclining seats with air conditioning and food.

Air conditioned 3 tier (3AC): 3 tier beds arranged in groups of 6. No curtains.

Air conditioned 2 tier (2AC): 2 Tier beds that convert to chairs during the day. Curtains. Food.

Air conditioned 1st class (1AC): the best of the best. 2 or 4 bed/chair compartments that have locking doors and food.