Big Blue in the Big Smog
First Stop Delhi..
When you first land in Delhi after a long flight from home all you want to do is get to your hotel. However do make sure you are getting a pre booked cab or specific taxi service to ensure you are not getting over charged, in a state of jetlag and plane haze we just jumped in a cab which definitely wasn’t your standard cab fare.
I had heard the smog in India was bad, but having been to other similar countries I was aware of what it can be like, but the smog in Delhi is like nothing I have ever seen. Most locals and tourists alike wear facemasks and most travel operators advise is to stay inside.
Beep Beep!
If you have experienced rush hour in a busy city before forget it all as Delhi roads are something else. The road lines might as well be non-existant and the horns on their vehicles are very well used, however I haven’t seen any accidents as everyone seems to be very relaxed and uses their horn as a helpful tool rather than out of anger. A true experience being on these roads.
Aside from the pollution in the air, on days where the smog lifts and the sun bursts through, India’s capital has some beautiful places to visit. We stayed in two different hotels in Delhi, one very high end a little more out of the city which was beautiful, but as people who like to explore we found this quite difficult so were thankful to move more into the city for our last few days at a middle tier hotel. Spending a only week in the city we did a whistle stop around a few of the main sites including, Inida gate, Mahatma Gandhi’s grave (Raj Ghat) , The red fort, Jama Majid, and various markets.
Some temples in India seem to be closed on Mondays which was such a shame as two of the bigger forts looked stunning from the outside and can only imagine their interior to mirror the external glory. We did however manage to go to Jama Majid a 17th century mosque, extremely busy but stunning! Most temples that you enter you must remove your shoes and socks out of respect and shoulders and knees to be covered. All women are given a shawl to wear in Jama Majid which will cost you a small sum of 300rupee.
Raj Ghat was a beautiful park where the grounds have been exquisitely tended to, it is free to enter the park and free to leave your shoes outside the entrance to Gandhi’s grave. (if you wish there is an area you can pay to leave you shoes if you are a bit more wary – I didn’t do this and other tourists seemed okay leaving their shoes with the locals too). Leading to the grave are many spiritual quotes of Gandhi’s giving you an insight to the kind of man he was to the Indian community. The Black marble platform marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhis cremation where a flame burns at all times. It truly is beautiful, even if you don’t know the history, and a must see on your list.
We visited a Sikh temple in the city, of which there are many, again shoes and socks off and dipping your feet in water on entry is a must but once you arrive you are free to worship however you chose. There are musicians playing throughout the day and songs being sang, the floral decorations were like nothing I have every seen! We had lunch in the Sikh temple and all three main meals of the day are cooked buy volunteers for anyone who wishes to eat, no questions asked, it doesn’t matter what religion you are you have the right to come in, sit and enjoy a hot meal together.
Delhi Belly
Naturally I cant not talk about the food whilst I’m here, if you’re a curry ‘expert’ at home then think again when you come to India. The mix of sweet and spicy is amazing. India has a VERY sweet tooth, in every meal you have the mixture of Dahl, curry’s and breads and sugar thrown in their somewhere, are a staple. Although there is some spice in the curry’s tasted so far it’s nothing that’s blown your face off. (great news from me as I’m not a spicy food lover) Who knows that may change as we continue on…
As long as you are sensible, no drinking tap water, see what is being cooked, eat what the locals eat, you are sure to do well. Naturally your body isn’t used to such different food but generally no issues with illness if you are sensible… finger crossed…
First impressions of Delhi if I’m honest weren’t fantastic due to the smog and the dirt but the people have made up for that no end. Smiling faces in a hectic city is very unusual to a Brit and they are most welcome. Possibly the smile towards me are more curious, being very tall and blonde, but nonetheless the friendly faces are wonderful.
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