Late night in Delhi, 5/20
It's after 11 o'clock, and the internet cafe is closing.
Another half of the group didn't come immediately back from the Red Fort. Me, Giovanni, Ankita, Tiffany, Allison P, Chelsea, and Imane stuck around on the streets of Delhi. First, we visited a Jain temple, which was a little island in the dust-choked bustle of the streets. From a balcony, we could see streams of traffic and uninterrupted chains of humanity pumping life in every direction.
Then, we plunged into the blood stream. We tried to move through the thousands of people, animals, rickshaws, and cars, looking for a decent restaruant. We turned down a wide side street and walked through the glowing night.
It's hard to describe the sweatiness, pollution, and pulsing life on the streets and in the buildings. While walking through it all, the mind detaches itself and looks on a little curiously. Two monkeys chased each other up a wall while a men banged a bell and drum in unison. People sell things everywhere, cheap knick knacks or rickshaw rides. We couldn't find a place to eat that didn't look like it would shred your insides. We passed lots of stands with fruit and vegetables glistening in the artificial light, but none of it was edible for us.
Luckily, Ankita speaks Hindi. We pushed out way back and onto a more crowded main road. Eventually, we found our restaurant. It was a little fast food place that actually served pizza! The surprise was that the pizza had spicy chili instead of tomoto sauce, so I drank a liter of water with dinner.
On the rickshaw ride back, Ankita bargained a price of 50 rupees for a ride in the little three wheeled green and yellow contraption. Giovanni and I took the second car. The ride was twenty minutes of speeding and careening around curves, narrowly missing children, horses, dogs, and busses. I think the driver was showing off for the thrilled tourists. When we got out, we gave him 60.
Tomorrow, we meet with Mobile Creches and Yale Club of India. The jet lag and heat are still knocking people out.
Much more to follow, especially to fill in the earlier gaps. We've already done and seen a lot, and it feels like the trip has only just begun.
Another half of the group didn't come immediately back from the Red Fort. Me, Giovanni, Ankita, Tiffany, Allison P, Chelsea, and Imane stuck around on the streets of Delhi. First, we visited a Jain temple, which was a little island in the dust-choked bustle of the streets. From a balcony, we could see streams of traffic and uninterrupted chains of humanity pumping life in every direction.
Then, we plunged into the blood stream. We tried to move through the thousands of people, animals, rickshaws, and cars, looking for a decent restaruant. We turned down a wide side street and walked through the glowing night.
It's hard to describe the sweatiness, pollution, and pulsing life on the streets and in the buildings. While walking through it all, the mind detaches itself and looks on a little curiously. Two monkeys chased each other up a wall while a men banged a bell and drum in unison. People sell things everywhere, cheap knick knacks or rickshaw rides. We couldn't find a place to eat that didn't look like it would shred your insides. We passed lots of stands with fruit and vegetables glistening in the artificial light, but none of it was edible for us.
Luckily, Ankita speaks Hindi. We pushed out way back and onto a more crowded main road. Eventually, we found our restaurant. It was a little fast food place that actually served pizza! The surprise was that the pizza had spicy chili instead of tomoto sauce, so I drank a liter of water with dinner.
On the rickshaw ride back, Ankita bargained a price of 50 rupees for a ride in the little three wheeled green and yellow contraption. Giovanni and I took the second car. The ride was twenty minutes of speeding and careening around curves, narrowly missing children, horses, dogs, and busses. I think the driver was showing off for the thrilled tourists. When we got out, we gave him 60.
Tomorrow, we meet with Mobile Creches and Yale Club of India. The jet lag and heat are still knocking people out.
Much more to follow, especially to fill in the earlier gaps. We've already done and seen a lot, and it feels like the trip has only just begun.
posted by Greg at 11:15 PM
<< Home