Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
India - Part 2
So, once we arrived at the hotel, drank the very sweet juice, we then off with the rest of our tour party to "discover the sights and experience a little of what New Delhi has to offer. I discovered that there is old and new - exactly because that is what the two parts of the city are. It seems to be the case in a number of places in India where new developments have sprung up and so there is an old part of the city and a new one. Most interesting!
I was fascinated by the fact that there were so many unfinished buildings all over the place, and it was only a couple of days into our trip that Christine made the comment that this was because this was a way that a building owner could avoid paying taxes - simply don't finish the building and then one does not have to pay taxes. So all over the various parts of India we travelled there were a large number of unfinished buildings.
The second thing that we found quite interesting was that there was a lot of general construction going on. We were soon enlightened that this was due to the upcoming Commonwealth Games that India is hosting - so I guess the road works that we have been battling in SA are fairly typical for any "host city" of any major event!
Part of our experience in New Delhi was to go on a subway. The trip lasted all of about ten minutes, and to be frank, I thought the tour operator was VERY brave herding about 70 people (adults and children) who made up our tour party onto and off the subway trains. It was quite an experience for me! I am sure that for any of you who have travelled subways before, this is a fairly common experience - but, it was my first! Standing in a crush where the designated markings showed the doors of the train would open. As the train came whooshing in, it was a case of people pushing to get off and us pushing to get on. We then travelled at a lickity split speed for all of probably a few minutes down three stops, and at the third we were all told we had to get off - at the door opposite the one we had rushed onto. So, the same procedure was experienced, the push-pull of people alighting and clambering aboard.
Once in the actual terminus things were pretty ordinary as such. No weird smells, etc. Clean and chaotic, but nothing untoward. Great fun was had at the turnstiles in and out. All were counted and had to go through detectors - I can't quite recall whether we were patted down, but I do know that there was, as is everywhere in India, a place for the men and a separate (and slightly more closeted environment) for the women. Once we were all through, it was back to street level, where we were then herded to the MacDonald's. The mind boggles!
I was fascinated by the fact that there were so many unfinished buildings all over the place, and it was only a couple of days into our trip that Christine made the comment that this was because this was a way that a building owner could avoid paying taxes - simply don't finish the building and then one does not have to pay taxes. So all over the various parts of India we travelled there were a large number of unfinished buildings.
The second thing that we found quite interesting was that there was a lot of general construction going on. We were soon enlightened that this was due to the upcoming Commonwealth Games that India is hosting - so I guess the road works that we have been battling in SA are fairly typical for any "host city" of any major event!
Part of our experience in New Delhi was to go on a subway. The trip lasted all of about ten minutes, and to be frank, I thought the tour operator was VERY brave herding about 70 people (adults and children) who made up our tour party onto and off the subway trains. It was quite an experience for me! I am sure that for any of you who have travelled subways before, this is a fairly common experience - but, it was my first! Standing in a crush where the designated markings showed the doors of the train would open. As the train came whooshing in, it was a case of people pushing to get off and us pushing to get on. We then travelled at a lickity split speed for all of probably a few minutes down three stops, and at the third we were all told we had to get off - at the door opposite the one we had rushed onto. So, the same procedure was experienced, the push-pull of people alighting and clambering aboard.
Once in the actual terminus things were pretty ordinary as such. No weird smells, etc. Clean and chaotic, but nothing untoward. Great fun was had at the turnstiles in and out. All were counted and had to go through detectors - I can't quite recall whether we were patted down, but I do know that there was, as is everywhere in India, a place for the men and a separate (and slightly more closeted environment) for the women. Once we were all through, it was back to street level, where we were then herded to the MacDonald's. The mind boggles!
The Metro corridors - in case you are interested! :-)
The trek through the streets of the city was rather chaotically snake-like. When we arrived, no forward planning had happened. Instead we crowded into what must be one of the smaller MacDonald's in the world, and from there there was a relay of messages as orders were placed. Firstly there was the issue of Vegetarian and meat, and then the cokes. We had all been told "DO NOT DRINK ANYTHING WITH ICE IN IT" - or you will get "Delhi-belly". Huge consternation! The drinks all came with ice.
Another relayed message and it was established that the ice was indeed from spring water and was perfectly safe. Some elected not to risk it - others were braver. Then it was a case of perching on whatever surface one could find in order to guzzle the meal, before off to the buses.
Once we were all aboard and accounted for, we went off to discover one of what I discovered were a number of "India Gates". We parked a distance from the actual "Gate" and then had to walk along a pathway until we got to the place. I was fascinated to see that there was a field near the "Gate" and in it were a large number of youngsters, all playing cricket - I think there must have been about 4 cricket games on the go while we were there - all at the same time!
Two pics of the informal cricket games
We then moved on to "India Gate" which was behind a barricade that prevented vehicles from entering at all. Within that barricade there were hordes of hawkers selling everything from henna applications, to pink candy-floss, to various toys, to you name it! Again that rising tide of "no thank you" and no eye contact was pretty perpetual with me. Although I have to say that I was sorely tempted to have a henna tattoo and swore I would do so before I left India - but sad to say, that was one thing I did not manage!
The various vendors and sellers as they tried to peddle their wares. Food open on the streets was something quite common - but I hate to confess, not something I tried.
This photo amused me. I tried to get the Saints crew together in order to take a pic of them in front of India Gate. Quickly the numbers multiplied until we had our entire touring party huddled together for the photo that was now "officially" being taken by the tour operator. While this was happening this crowd of rather bemused onlookers gathered. So here we have the photographed being watched!
And then finally to the magnificent statue that is one of the "India Gates" of India. The history and such like I cannot comment upon - but there you have it!
And so now to one final thing before I end this chapter. The pic below is something that is not, as one would hope, an unusual sight in India. As we left India Gate, this entire four-membered family clung onto their motor-bike and as the sun was setting and darkness fell, so they disappeared to their routine lives - probably blissfully unaware that they would one day be able to be seen by all and sundry who happen to wade through my pages! :-) They were more than willing - quite delighted in actual fact - to pose for this picture!
All for the time being - and thanks so much to all who have enjoyed these posts! I enjoy getting the feedback!
Lots of love!
Monday, May 10, 2010
My trip to India - September/October 2009 - Part 1
Finally, a chance to put down some of what occurred in India when I travelled there last year for the International Round Square Conference and PreConference Tour.
Someone really special in my life, warned me that India would be an assault on my senses. She also told me of the abject poverty, the variety and so much more. She prepared me well! I was amazed at how much of a flood of experiences it was.
People often ask about the experience, and so from the outset, let me try and sum up a few things. I enjoyed the experience; and very pleased I went; met some of the most wonderful people; but, unless under a trip I was able to have more control over, I don't think that I would be rushing back - but at the same time, I would never having given up the opportunity for anything!
In addition, it was the perfect chance for me to get a better idea of what the boys who go over on exchange experience. It has also made me more aware that there are certain people who can make it, and others who would not. It also gave me an incredible respect for the boys who do go over on exchange - it is a very different experience from what we are used to in South Africa!
We left OR Tambo, flew Emirates to Dubai, the caught a connector to Delhi. Emirates was very pleasant - both there and back. During the lay-over in Dubai, I have to confess that I was expecting all sorts of wonders - instead it was a somewhat more sterile environment, but OR Tambo is just as wonderful! I KNOW that I am patriotic, but I have to be honest, OR Tambo is a world-class airport!
Our flight from Dubai to Delhi was my initiation to what I would come to expect in India - curried=effect eggs for breakfast - not my usual fare - so I gave the eggs something of a miss and found some other bits on the plate to eat.
When we arrived at Delhi, we were met by the brother who co-owns the travel agency who had organised the PreConferen
ce tour. As became usual I discovered, we were garlanded with marigold - beautiful (as were most wondrous sights in India) but hellish when the lovely flowers marked one's clothes (thank heavens for my wonderful mum!). Herewith a pic of my colleague on the Girls' College side, Christine Pope (Ashton following her wonderful wedding in December), the head of the Girls' College, Ivanka Acquisto, the Governor Representative of the College, Deidre Penfold, and me - all garlanded up!
Then it was into the Delhi traffic!
That has to be seen to be believed!!! I swear the vehicles in India can breathe! The numbers of times we squeezed through spaces that were definitely too small for the actual vehicles in which we travelled to squeeze through. But, we got to the first hotel safe and sound.
It was our next taste of India!
In order to save costs, we had booked three to a room. For future reference this is something that one should query. If you book more than one to a room in an Indian hotel - make sure that you stipulate exactly what you want - if you are okay with sharing a double bed when there are two to a room, then you will fine - we didn't have this information! So our first room was a double bed with a mattress on the floor. Christine's long trip and all the lead up to the trip finally caught up with her and on all our behalves she threw her toys and informed the tour operator that this was NOT something that one could expect from three grown women - Ivanka, Christine and me. He looked so mortified - and simply in his defence he stated that he hadn't been aware that that would be a problem, and we should have simply informed him! We were moved that evening to a twin set for Christine and me, while Ivanka remained in the double bed room.
It was a bit of a rush after our arrival at the hotel and soon we were hurried to get a glass of what was probably more sugar than fruit, posing as fruit juice. Very sweet, but palatable! It was also a moment for laughter as one of the girls in our delegation decided to "model" the collection of garlands, Here Melissa poses with her new fashionable "headgear!
And now, I think that that is the first of the serialised version - and as suggested by my sis, Brenda, I will now try a spellcheck! - Had a wonderful chat to her today!!!
Someone really special in my life, warned me that India would be an assault on my senses. She also told me of the abject poverty, the variety and so much more. She prepared me well! I was amazed at how much of a flood of experiences it was.
People often ask about the experience, and so from the outset, let me try and sum up a few things. I enjoyed the experience; and very pleased I went; met some of the most wonderful people; but, unless under a trip I was able to have more control over, I don't think that I would be rushing back - but at the same time, I would never having given up the opportunity for anything!
In addition, it was the perfect chance for me to get a better idea of what the boys who go over on exchange experience. It has also made me more aware that there are certain people who can make it, and others who would not. It also gave me an incredible respect for the boys who do go over on exchange - it is a very different experience from what we are used to in South Africa!
We left OR Tambo, flew Emirates to Dubai, the caught a connector to Delhi. Emirates was very pleasant - both there and back. During the lay-over in Dubai, I have to confess that I was expecting all sorts of wonders - instead it was a somewhat more sterile environment, but OR Tambo is just as wonderful! I KNOW that I am patriotic, but I have to be honest, OR Tambo is a world-class airport!
Our flight from Dubai to Delhi was my initiation to what I would come to expect in India - curried=effect eggs for breakfast - not my usual fare - so I gave the eggs something of a miss and found some other bits on the plate to eat.
When we arrived at Delhi, we were met by the brother who co-owns the travel agency who had organised the PreConferen
ce tour. As became usual I discovered, we were garlanded with marigold - beautiful (as were most wondrous sights in India) but hellish when the lovely flowers marked one's clothes (thank heavens for my wonderful mum!). Herewith a pic of my colleague on the Girls' College side, Christine Pope (Ashton following her wonderful wedding in December), the head of the Girls' College, Ivanka Acquisto, the Governor Representative of the College, Deidre Penfold, and me - all garlanded up!Then it was into the Delhi traffic!
That has to be seen to be believed!!! I swear the vehicles in India can breathe! The numbers of times we squeezed through spaces that were definitely too small for the actual vehicles in which we travelled to squeeze through. But, we got to the first hotel safe and sound.
It was our next taste of India!
In order to save costs, we had booked three to a room. For future reference this is something that one should query. If you book more than one to a room in an Indian hotel - make sure that you stipulate exactly what you want - if you are okay with sharing a double bed when there are two to a room, then you will fine - we didn't have this information! So our first room was a double bed with a mattress on the floor. Christine's long trip and all the lead up to the trip finally caught up with her and on all our behalves she threw her toys and informed the tour operator that this was NOT something that one could expect from three grown women - Ivanka, Christine and me. He looked so mortified - and simply in his defence he stated that he hadn't been aware that that would be a problem, and we should have simply informed him! We were moved that evening to a twin set for Christine and me, while Ivanka remained in the double bed room.
It was a bit of a rush after our arrival at the hotel and soon we were hurried to get a glass of what was probably more sugar than fruit, posing as fruit juice. Very sweet, but palatable! It was also a moment for laughter as one of the girls in our delegation decided to "model" the collection of garlands, Here Melissa poses with her new fashionable "headgear!
And now, I think that that is the first of the serialised version - and as suggested by my sis, Brenda, I will now try a spellcheck! - Had a wonderful chat to her today!!!
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