March 2011
I have had the opportunity to go several times to Delhi but I think I truly visited only the first time.
The occasion: the departure of Robin for New Zealand. Robin, was and is still a very good Indian friend so we have been several guys who catch the opportunity to say goodbye and visit Delhi.
This trip allowed me to try for the first time the train in India which is quite an interesting experience. Indians, as the most of the Asian people, are very curious and friendly when they see foreigners in such places, you almost don't have any privacy because they are curious to see what we do :).
We left in the afternoon and the trip least 5h (for 250km - fair :)). We arrived a bit before midnight at Delhi central railway station where I could feel like in a Bollywood movie: as soon as we arrived the tuk tuk drivers ran to us trying to bargain the price for the hotel we were going to... it was quite long but thanks to Robin and Preet we had a good price.
And then the second experience of the day: Experiencing the tuk tuk drivers in Delhi!
I am still not sure I have understood the driving rules in India and I used to think that in Chandigarh drivers were driving crazy but Delhi had beaten all the records... and i believe that drivers drive even crazier when they see an afraid tourist so they can impress them with their driving skills... In the end you you are very happy to arrive at your final destination ... alive :). To summarize it: go for a tuk tuk in India if you are looking for some adrenaline in your life :)
After Robin left for the airport, we went to visit Delhi :
- starting with the magnificent Red Fort which is obviously red, Middle Aged castle with significant muslim style with huge gardens and beautiful buildings inside.
- trying the Delhi subway: which really impressed me as it was the first time I was seeing mixed and only women wagons. Indeed, I think everyone has heard about the sexual harassment in India, which are still happening unfortunately, and this is one of the solutions to reduce it.
Well having those types of trains made me see a problem: almost no space in the the mixed wagons and a lot of space in the women ones... so when coming back from the Red Fort I got into one women wagons... yes I know it was wrong not to respect the local rules but i think I was still a bit immature. Indeed, i believe that showing a respect to the host country is the first thing to do... anyway once inside and the doors closed a woman who was also traveling asked me if I was a tourist and I said yes... then she said "oh okey, have a nice stay then" which, now with the distance regarding the situation, shows how understanding regarding tourist people are but also maybe the fact that women are less scared by European men than the local...
- Lotus temple: Well I felt in love with this temple. The main reason is that this temple doesn't care about religion, you can get in and pray your own God or Gods. It is like an universal prayer room... quite huge inside and the silence among the visitors was remarquable. I believe that this kind of temples can work in some places with a big religious diversity and mutual respect just like in India. I remember I have checked on internet and found that there are several temples like the Lotus temple in the world but behind it might me hidden a religion which is quite sad if it is really the case ...
From what I remember of Delhi there are two parts of the city going on different speeds... the new districts like near Gurgaon (near the airport) and the old ones... Our hotel was in the old part and we had time to visit it a bit. Well it is complicated to describe it... there are beautiful old and charming buildings which seemed ruined from the time, a lot of poverty in the streets, people sleeping in the almost destroyed houses... Indeed, In huge countries and especially emerging democracies what it is really shocking is the social difference between very poor and extremely rich.
The last day of this trip we went to visit the mosque which was very old and majestic combing the Muslim art but also the Indian one. I think the mosque has a bit lost its main reason and became a museum and a place to contemplate the art. I think this is the first time I have visited also a mosque and I remember going up on one of the towers which was giving an amazing view over the city.
The occasion: the departure of Robin for New Zealand. Robin, was and is still a very good Indian friend so we have been several guys who catch the opportunity to say goodbye and visit Delhi.
This trip allowed me to try for the first time the train in India which is quite an interesting experience. Indians, as the most of the Asian people, are very curious and friendly when they see foreigners in such places, you almost don't have any privacy because they are curious to see what we do :).
We left in the afternoon and the trip least 5h (for 250km - fair :)). We arrived a bit before midnight at Delhi central railway station where I could feel like in a Bollywood movie: as soon as we arrived the tuk tuk drivers ran to us trying to bargain the price for the hotel we were going to... it was quite long but thanks to Robin and Preet we had a good price.
And then the second experience of the day: Experiencing the tuk tuk drivers in Delhi!
I am still not sure I have understood the driving rules in India and I used to think that in Chandigarh drivers were driving crazy but Delhi had beaten all the records... and i believe that drivers drive even crazier when they see an afraid tourist so they can impress them with their driving skills... In the end you you are very happy to arrive at your final destination ... alive :). To summarize it: go for a tuk tuk in India if you are looking for some adrenaline in your life :)
After Robin left for the airport, we went to visit Delhi :
- starting with the magnificent Red Fort which is obviously red, Middle Aged castle with significant muslim style with huge gardens and beautiful buildings inside.
- trying the Delhi subway: which really impressed me as it was the first time I was seeing mixed and only women wagons. Indeed, I think everyone has heard about the sexual harassment in India, which are still happening unfortunately, and this is one of the solutions to reduce it.
Well having those types of trains made me see a problem: almost no space in the the mixed wagons and a lot of space in the women ones... so when coming back from the Red Fort I got into one women wagons... yes I know it was wrong not to respect the local rules but i think I was still a bit immature. Indeed, i believe that showing a respect to the host country is the first thing to do... anyway once inside and the doors closed a woman who was also traveling asked me if I was a tourist and I said yes... then she said "oh okey, have a nice stay then" which, now with the distance regarding the situation, shows how understanding regarding tourist people are but also maybe the fact that women are less scared by European men than the local...
- Lotus temple: Well I felt in love with this temple. The main reason is that this temple doesn't care about religion, you can get in and pray your own God or Gods. It is like an universal prayer room... quite huge inside and the silence among the visitors was remarquable. I believe that this kind of temples can work in some places with a big religious diversity and mutual respect just like in India. I remember I have checked on internet and found that there are several temples like the Lotus temple in the world but behind it might me hidden a religion which is quite sad if it is really the case ...
From what I remember of Delhi there are two parts of the city going on different speeds... the new districts like near Gurgaon (near the airport) and the old ones... Our hotel was in the old part and we had time to visit it a bit. Well it is complicated to describe it... there are beautiful old and charming buildings which seemed ruined from the time, a lot of poverty in the streets, people sleeping in the almost destroyed houses... Indeed, In huge countries and especially emerging democracies what it is really shocking is the social difference between very poor and extremely rich.
The last day of this trip we went to visit the mosque which was very old and majestic combing the Muslim art but also the Indian one. I think the mosque has a bit lost its main reason and became a museum and a place to contemplate the art. I think this is the first time I have visited also a mosque and I remember going up on one of the towers which was giving an amazing view over the city.
I have returned after this trip, 2 or 3 more times to this city but either only for transit or for my farewell party before leaving India from which I don't remember a lot except the tears when leaving... this is moment when you understand the quote: "you cry twice In India, once when you arrive and once when you leave".... I agree and I hope to see you again India. Thank you for great time !