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After a a fairly pleasent flight with distraction from the inflight movie (Social Network) and a screaming child I arrive smack, bang wallop in Delhi. My first thoughts are "what awful carpet in the airport", but moving on from that, I opt not to take the train but to get a pre paid taxi. The driver insists he knows where the hotel is but...surprise surprise we stop at one of the travel agants who proceed to tell me the hotel I have booked is not good. I persist with politely telling them to take me there, the conversation goes something like this -
Agent "it very very very far out of Delhi lady"
Me "no it's not"
Him "oh yes it is"
me" no it isnt"
I figure this conversation could go on for sometime - possibly all my 3 weeks ....... who knows?!
I decide on alternative approach I tell him Im meeting friends there so I ned to go there, he then says they will call the hotel and see if my friends are there for me. I very strongly insist that we just go - even I was suprised (although exhausted) by my assertivness!
The taxi then drops me appox a block away from the hotel and I step out. Im instantky hit by tuk tuk drivers, fruit sellers, people wanting to lean english and lots of all people just staring at me (and no before some of you think it, I dont have food all around my mouth nor my skirt stuck in my knickers) they are facsinated by my fair hair....hello can they not see the brown roots, Im really not this blond!
A guy insists on walking me to my hotel, by thsi point I don't have the enegy to argue. At teh hotel there seems to be a bit of commotion between my self appointed guide and the hotel man. It transpires they want the hotel to give them commisssion for showing me, the self made guide is told to leave, which he does. I settle in reeption and Im provided with some nice ice cold water and cups of chai in tiny cups but Im expected to drink about 10 of these tiny cups. After being introdced to Sunny the guy on reception and some more chit chat and staring I get shown to my room which is surprisingly nice. The shower is not a shower as we know it.... its a huge bucket, tub, dog bath whatever you want to call it with a scoop in it and some tap high up on the wall. It reminded me very much of the set of Steptoe and Son, needless to say I decided just to stand under teh high tap and give the bucket a miss......it looked very well used bucket, lets just say.
My plan for the eveing is sorted Im very kindly invited to the High Commissioner for a drinks reception on the lawn, which although I was very excited I was also a little worried that it might be a black tie event. So what happens in these situations I check with my Indian Wise Owl "Summer", she reassures me its smart and casual.....we can do that!
Im conscious I need to get my rail tickets booked so I ask Sunny to take me to the official tourist office, I get there and it it appeasr to be official enough etc. They book some of my tickets and I sort some hotels from them too, for what seems like a bit of a price in Indian costs. however they are the official office so all good. They appoint me a driver, which slightly tickles me a bit like "Driving Miss Daisy" I think. He drives me to the consulate grounds and I agree he will pick me up one and half hours later. Im struck by how lovely the grounds of the estate are, and I soon getting chatting to two guys who are also going to the drinks, we walk up the long drive to where we need to be. A lot of people eating canapes and drinking on the lawn. This is the first time it occurs to me though I have no idea what Owen looks like and he could be one of many gentlemen there. thankfuly he seeemed to know it was me. I think the bright clothes, fluffy hair and startled look gave me away. During the eveing I meet a lot of lovely people, and drinks on the lawn, what more could I want for a first night in Delhi. Itt was perfect and Im so very grateful to Summer and Owen for giving me that opportunity.
I leave to meet my driver who takes me back to the hotel, where Sunny asks if he can join me for dinner, so we go to a roof top cafe across the road, cheap and cheerful (for those of you that know think, India Club having a closing down sale). Sunny asks if he can take me to a bar for drinks but by this time Im startiing to flag so I decline and go back to my hotel. I sleep......
I wake up wide awake, "oh it must be time to get up", I think.....but no I have been asleep for about 40 mins if that. Can I get back to sleep..........nope, Im very grateful for the beep from my phone, texts from both Laura and Jef, so that keeps me busy for short while. I must nod off just after 2am zzzz .......to be contined!!!
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