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Delhi Day 2
9am Prompt I'm in reception, driver arrives at 9.02am. We set off through the crazy streets of Delhi dodging tuc tuks, cows, horses beggers and kids. Our fist stop is Lodi Gardens a very peaceful park, a world away from Delhi mayham. I see people practising yoga, couples walking, families playing, dog walkers, joggers, city workers, this could be St James's Pak at 9am!
After the park we make our way to the National Museum, armed with my headset tour guide I explore. To be honest though with my highest respect it was actually pretty dull - lots of broken ceramics....ok, ok so they were 2000BC old but even so,I can only look at so many smashed plates. I was probably in there one hour as oppose to the half day suggested in the guide book.
We then moved on to Ghandi Smitri Memorial. this is the house where Mahatma Ghandi was shot dead. It also displays Ghandis last route to his death. This was marked by porcelin footprints on the ground. I got a telling off there though as I thought I should step on them however it turns out there is a path next to them visitors should walk on...oops!
I could have spent all day here. the memorial for Ghandi is strong, pretty and bold, very apt for such an amazing man!
Now we move to Old Delh. Old Delhi makes Piccadily Circus look like the Outer Hebradies. The Red Fort is here, my driver parks close but I still have a bit of a walk to reach the fort, this walk feels like many miles in 40 degree heat. I wander around teh fort which is pretty impressive and grand. I get approached by young Indians wanting to have their photo taken with me. This is common practice I read, I think its a slight trophy to have a photo with a westerner.
I head back to driver, which thankfuly he remembers what i look like. With my eyes I was going up to every other driver but him, but he comes for me. We head back to hotel to check out and collect bag. I then go and grab some food and while a way some time in the internet cafe At the tourist office I get befriended by a cute guy called Imran. he's chatty and smart and for the first time in India I feel like Im not getting fleeced. He is also the driver to take me to the station. We chat like friends and laugh at the car park attendent moving cars by pushing them. The station itself is pretty daunting, beggers, people sleeping and once again men staring and wanting to touch. Imran carrys my rucsac and takes my ticket. i think he must sense i'm pretty scared and reassures me once I get on teh train I will be fine. He takes my hand and speaks loudly saying "so Jen lets see where our seats are". he takes me to the train door and checks I have right carriage. A quick hug and he's gone and Im on the train. He was a decent guy despite him telling me with an and evil grin and laugh that the tap water is good for me! ;-)
The train i loved from the moment I got on it, I was in a carriage with a lady and a smart Indian man who reminded me of Ghandi, I bet he was a doctor. The train is a hub of activity with guys constantky walking past shouting chai chai (tea). A guy comes in to take a food order, the lazy and man exolain what is happeninng. i order by saying I will have the same as them. 30 mins later he returns with food. for 60 rupees (less than a quid) I get 4 diffirent veggie currys, some rice, some nann bread, a poppodom and a bottles of water...tasty!
Theere are plug sockets on teh train to charge iphone, so Im happy. Beats Virgin. I settle down for the night. The bed is suprisingly cormfy. I drift off with with mixed feelings about Delhi. I decide I have the same theroy on it as I do with Marmite.....I don't know how I feel about it.....but I do know if they sold chai in pubs in the UK I would probably never drink booze again!
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