too old for dreads

Full on India. And that takes a bit of getting used to. 

Hopping off a civilised BA flight in to the noise, smells and general din of this place is a bit of a shock to the system. But go with it for a few hours, accept the welcome from people and then it starts to make sense. 

We’re tucked away in a very smart hotel (thanks Trail finders) which didn’t feel quite in the spirit of this trip as we arrived. But then a bit of luxury at The Claridge’s hasn’t gone amiss. After all I did need my jeans cleaning after pouring a half bottle of red wine over them on the flight and we desperately needed a good night’s sleep. 

Our transition from Europe to Asia has been helped hugely by our friendly TukTuk driver, Kamal. My first assumption in places like this is that we’re being ripped off if someone tries to help. That’s what happened yesterday as we emerged, slightly apprehensively from the hotel. We were clocked by Kamal who went on to be a fantastic guide who wasn’t greedy, pushy or trying to rip us off. He’s given us a fantastic tour of Sikh temples and Hindu mosques, New Delhi and Old Delhi. Plus great lunch on both days. 

Everything here – including the country itself of course – is on such a massive scale. We’ve realised that a couple of blocks on a city map is a 45 minute (sweltering) walk and that a train journey between two apparently neighbouring cities can be a six hour journey. 

We both loved seeing Old Delhi from the back of a cycle rickshaw –  just like we did as a family 7 years ago. It’s definitely the way to travel and after getting in the saddle, may be a future career option for me. There aren’t any cycle rickshaws in Chipping Norton …yet. 

Dengue fever is rife here. So we’ve been nervously covering up from daytime mosquitoes. The virus is described as ‘bone breaking disease’. The pain in your limbs is considered as painful as a fracture. Must be hell and therefore to be avoided at all costs. Hopefully my jeans will be back later today, without the red wine stain, so I can cover up this evening (tricky when the temperature doesn’t get any lower than 28 degrees). 

Now, on to relaxing. We’re hitting New Delhi station in the morning for a 7.20am train to Amritsar. Half a million people (plus 2 more tomorrow) pass through it every morning and evening. Mustn’t get stressed by it. We need to become Indian for the next couple of weeks I think. And maybe for some weeks / months / years to follow. 

Better start chilling now …