delhi.
some time in the morning i wake up. we must be close to delhi according to the watch. what's irritating is the fact that all the billboards are about jaipur. we're in the middle of the traffic jam of the century! nobody can explain what the reason is. unbelievable. first movement after 3 hours. annik is close to a panic. the embassy closes at 5 pm but we will make it until midnight if it goes on like that. final delay: 12 hours. in delhi we get off the bus earlier to head to the embassy. luckily they have heard about the traffic jam and make an exception for annik.. they even process her visa.
delhi tour. observatory, hindu temple, gate of india, excellent indian lunch in a hotel. red fort with different halls for receptions and entertainment. not much left of the old glory and treasures: sacked, destroyed, rotten down. gold and silver is gone. the famous peacock throne stolen by the persians. the grave of whoever as the model for the taj mahal? 'just a bit rougher'. i would say much much rougher. india's oldest mosque with an impressive minaret. some sensational stone carvings, but only leftovers. burial places of gandhi and neru. typical 'in-and-out-tour'. new delhi: vast, grey, smog. the ride with the ricksaws is a torture. in between the modern parts there a the worst slums one can imagine. isn't that what i expected? after the tour we go out for a last good dinner. after much discussions annik finally allows me to invite her at least this time. why are women so complicated at times :-)? last negotiation with the ricksaw driver. i have a feeling i'll miss it. the guy elaborates endlessly about the hows and whys of the price. i'm in a hurry, no time for games anymore: 'stop that emotional moaning. let's do business here and now. take the money and drive.' annik gives me an a+ for my speech: 'one of the best negotiations you've ever done. short and to the point'. well that's a good moment to leave then. it's unbelievable: the moment i arrive at the airport he wants more than the agreed price: 'dude, give up. i'm leaving. i'm not arriving. use your brain and find a greenhorn at the arrival not the departure gate'. it would have been a wonder if he hadn't tried. india wouldn't be india anymore. but who wants to change it anyway? it's a permanent struggle not to be ripped off but this country is also great fun and incredible excitement. :-)
delhi tour. observatory, hindu temple, gate of india, excellent indian lunch in a hotel. red fort with different halls for receptions and entertainment. not much left of the old glory and treasures: sacked, destroyed, rotten down. gold and silver is gone. the famous peacock throne stolen by the persians. the grave of whoever as the model for the taj mahal? 'just a bit rougher'. i would say much much rougher. india's oldest mosque with an impressive minaret. some sensational stone carvings, but only leftovers. burial places of gandhi and neru. typical 'in-and-out-tour'. new delhi: vast, grey, smog. the ride with the ricksaws is a torture. in between the modern parts there a the worst slums one can imagine. isn't that what i expected? after the tour we go out for a last good dinner. after much discussions annik finally allows me to invite her at least this time. why are women so complicated at times :-)? last negotiation with the ricksaw driver. i have a feeling i'll miss it. the guy elaborates endlessly about the hows and whys of the price. i'm in a hurry, no time for games anymore: 'stop that emotional moaning. let's do business here and now. take the money and drive.' annik gives me an a+ for my speech: 'one of the best negotiations you've ever done. short and to the point'. well that's a good moment to leave then. it's unbelievable: the moment i arrive at the airport he wants more than the agreed price: 'dude, give up. i'm leaving. i'm not arriving. use your brain and find a greenhorn at the arrival not the departure gate'. it would have been a wonder if he hadn't tried. india wouldn't be india anymore. but who wants to change it anyway? it's a permanent struggle not to be ripped off but this country is also great fun and incredible excitement. :-)