We arrived at Delhi airport about on time, 10.50pm, and were met by Amit, his fiancée Monika (the first time we’d met her) and Rishi’s Mum
– who was there by mistake… Helen’s first sight of India was the
crazy taxi area, then the crazy taxi ride – which we survived to arrive
at the Hotel Mohan near the station, ½ hour later. We ordered some
delicious aloo gobi and chapatis from room service then got some much needed sleep. Helen had not slept at all the previous night.
the first tour - 15th Jan Not much time to lie in: By 11 we were off on a tour with our own driver, with “Bobby” from Haryana. First to the Red Fort,
then to Rajghat to see Gandhi’s tomb (which we entered from the wrong
side then got told off for having out shoes with us), then India Gate,
parliament (massive, but then it does govern a lot of people) – quick
photos as Bobby wasn’t allowed to park.
With the clock ticking, we we crammed in the major sights: Qutab Minar (expensive to get in, but stunning), the Ba’hai temple (shaped like a lotus flower) then finally to the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir.
All the time Helen was trying to learn some Hindi, with some success
but mostly frustration. It was quite warm, about 20 degrees, but most
Indians were in jumpers, ski jackets and even hats and scarves (the
opposite of people from Hull!).
We had some communication
skills training: First working out if the tour organiser actually
wanted our money – or a big tip – and then trying to follow
instructions to get hot water. We ended the night with a meal in
Connaught place.
Agra - 16th Jan
The train to Agra was quick and we had very comfortable seats – Chatted
to a Finnish woman who’d been running a hotel in Agra and had set up a
school in Orcha.
What can you say about the Taj Mahal? Bigger than you think, pristinely white (especially in comparison to the rest of Agra which is quite filthy), and really beautiful.
We had a ride from a very sweaty rickshaw cyclist and checked out Agra
Fort and the St Stephens College. We’d recommend going up to the Jami
Masjid, even though the streets are filthy, they are full of character.
We had the real Agra experience looking for food when we were
followed for about a mile by rickshaw drivers, demanding that we stop
walking. In Agra tourists will be given the hard sell. Rish was forced
to use the services of a shoe polisher, despite wearing trainers.
The overnight train was late but excellent anyway.
