Locals in Delhi

India Gate with traffic
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After many attempts to upgrade our train tickets to 2nd class air-conditioned, the heat wore us down and we settled in to our desert sand covered, 110 degree beds. In this uncomfortable situation, we made our way to Delhi the current capital of India with its exploding population of 12.8 mil.

We arrived, hopped into a rickshaw, and headed over to my brother who was working in town. Weaving through busses and cows, ignroing lanes and lights, we made our way in typical Indian fashion. Our rickshaw driver reluctantly drove us through the Mercedes filled parking lot to the entrance of the $300/night Sheraton - undoubtedly a far cry from where he is used to dropping off backpackers. Looking just a little out of place,. we got our grime covered selves out, strapped on our packs, and walked past the doormen into the first a/c we had felt in weeks.

India Gate!!
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Delhi has a great mix of new and old, from the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Qutb Minar, to the British built India Gate and shoping center of Connaught Place. This time, however, we passed over most of the sites on offer, and elected to spend the next few days living like modern 'Delhiites'. We visited with my brother James, saw India Gate, some of CP, and had some great meals before he had to fly home for a 'family' wedding. (Best Wishes to Mike and Nomi!!) We also caught up with an old friend Kurien who I met the last time I was in India 6ish years ago. Our thanks to both for letting us crash out at their places, and to Kurien for expertly translating "LIfe in a Metro" a great Bollywood movie.

As evidence of our 'non-tourist' visit to Delhi, we neglected to take many photographs. In fact, the only pictures we ended with were of India Gate, and so we hope you enjoy them.