14 hours straight from Newark to Delhi... didn't get a wink of sleep, because the Bangali Babu (not my dad) next to me, kept whacking me with his elbow. I did watch a bunch of movies... two were really good "The Help" and "Life in a Day"... recommend both.
Anyhow can't sleep now, feeling under the weather, and we are staying at a hotel in Delhi... "The Emarald".
I would recommend it, cause its near Connaught Place, but its right next to the railway station, and some other shenanigans. However the people are being rather uncouth and noisy, really though why can't people be considerate? Is it just India? Need to be more observant.
Anyhow, my friend Romit picked me up from the airport, and ended up going to see the India Gate that night, and eating ice cream!
Then the next day we went to the "Parantha Valle Gully" and then to Red Fort. It was wonderful. That night we went to Nizamuddin and ate at Karim's. I met a goat who was rather large and friendly, and apparently a pet.
Sayan bought a nice coat. Also saw the inauguration of an art museum "Kiran Nader's _____ Museum". This was a live art piece that opened the museum up. It was interesting and reminiscent of my KFI days!
Day three I had a rental car, with tourist sign on it, and started with the Qutumbinar and Humayun's Tomb, both which I did not get to enjoy as much because - well they guessed I was foreign and made me pay foreigner's price of Rupees 250, instead of Indian ticket price of Rupees 10. Also there were like 10 schools visiting each location, and the kids were like the stampeding creatures that trampled Mufasa in the Lion King. Ok they weren't that bad, but you know kids! The next stop was Purane Kela, which was quiet and gorgeous and packed with lovers, who were obviously bunking work/school/college. Last but not least I went to Deer Park, which was also lovely, green, and quiet. Peace Peace Peace.
It was 3, and I had not had lunch, so driver took me to the mall, where I went to "Big Chill". This place was playing all the coldplay songs, and it was like a wanna be applebees, with more interesting food! The fresh juices is the best drink in Delhi! Untainted juice, freshly squeezed from fruit, right then and there, and no sugar added... pure bliss ya'll! Healthiest drinks ever! Yes I had pomegranate, orange, watermelon, and can't wait to drink more!
Got home (to Romit and Sayan's apartment) and soon Romit was home too, then we went to eat Dosa at a near by place, we got juice after that!
Day four - rested, watched Hindi movies. Evening - we went to Delhi Haat, and there were some cool programs like the East Indian Art of Cutting Cucumbers (while eyes are blindfolded). It was lovely yet scary. And some Bharatnatyam dancing. Then we ate - Bhel Puri, Papdi Chaat, Channa Batura, Maach Bhaaja and Chai. Later the guys helped me check in to the hotel, and we hit CP (Connaught Place) for dinner, although I had already eaten so much and felt like a pregnant horse. We ate at Zen (yes it was Indian Chinese Food). The guys met Babi (my dad) and then we parted. Miss hanging out with them already.
Day five- business meeting and setting up the booth at pragati maidan for the LED expo. When we got there, they sent us from one gate to the other (Pragati Maidan is huge). Then we had to fight to get in to take our "Maal" (exhibition stuff) in. We got to our booth, and it was so dusty, there were paan stains on the bottom of one board, the ENTIRE exhibition hall was in a mess, chaos, last minute preparations. This is the India I remember from 10-15 years ago. So I was not impressed, and frankly the people handling the organization of the whole hullabaloo of an exhibition were very - un-precise, un-prompt, forgetful and just lacked professionalism due to the above reasons. By this time I was feeling very sick - Dust, Dust, Dust, and the night before it was cold when we walked around CP. So got home and here I am unable to sleep and writing! Hopefully tomorrow will be awesome!
Breathe! (actually breathing here is tough with all the dust... I shall wear a mask and breath!)
And yes I wore my Vibrams everywhere!!!!
Anyhow can't sleep now, feeling under the weather, and we are staying at a hotel in Delhi... "The Emarald".
I would recommend it, cause its near Connaught Place, but its right next to the railway station, and some other shenanigans. However the people are being rather uncouth and noisy, really though why can't people be considerate? Is it just India? Need to be more observant.
Anyhow, my friend Romit picked me up from the airport, and ended up going to see the India Gate that night, and eating ice cream!
Then the next day we went to the "Parantha Valle Gully" and then to Red Fort. It was wonderful. That night we went to Nizamuddin and ate at Karim's. I met a goat who was rather large and friendly, and apparently a pet.
Sayan bought a nice coat. Also saw the inauguration of an art museum "Kiran Nader's _____ Museum". This was a live art piece that opened the museum up. It was interesting and reminiscent of my KFI days!
Day three I had a rental car, with tourist sign on it, and started with the Qutumbinar and Humayun's Tomb, both which I did not get to enjoy as much because - well they guessed I was foreign and made me pay foreigner's price of Rupees 250, instead of Indian ticket price of Rupees 10. Also there were like 10 schools visiting each location, and the kids were like the stampeding creatures that trampled Mufasa in the Lion King. Ok they weren't that bad, but you know kids! The next stop was Purane Kela, which was quiet and gorgeous and packed with lovers, who were obviously bunking work/school/college. Last but not least I went to Deer Park, which was also lovely, green, and quiet. Peace Peace Peace.
It was 3, and I had not had lunch, so driver took me to the mall, where I went to "Big Chill". This place was playing all the coldplay songs, and it was like a wanna be applebees, with more interesting food! The fresh juices is the best drink in Delhi! Untainted juice, freshly squeezed from fruit, right then and there, and no sugar added... pure bliss ya'll! Healthiest drinks ever! Yes I had pomegranate, orange, watermelon, and can't wait to drink more!
Got home (to Romit and Sayan's apartment) and soon Romit was home too, then we went to eat Dosa at a near by place, we got juice after that!
Day four - rested, watched Hindi movies. Evening - we went to Delhi Haat, and there were some cool programs like the East Indian Art of Cutting Cucumbers (while eyes are blindfolded). It was lovely yet scary. And some Bharatnatyam dancing. Then we ate - Bhel Puri, Papdi Chaat, Channa Batura, Maach Bhaaja and Chai. Later the guys helped me check in to the hotel, and we hit CP (Connaught Place) for dinner, although I had already eaten so much and felt like a pregnant horse. We ate at Zen (yes it was Indian Chinese Food). The guys met Babi (my dad) and then we parted. Miss hanging out with them already.
Day five- business meeting and setting up the booth at pragati maidan for the LED expo. When we got there, they sent us from one gate to the other (Pragati Maidan is huge). Then we had to fight to get in to take our "Maal" (exhibition stuff) in. We got to our booth, and it was so dusty, there were paan stains on the bottom of one board, the ENTIRE exhibition hall was in a mess, chaos, last minute preparations. This is the India I remember from 10-15 years ago. So I was not impressed, and frankly the people handling the organization of the whole hullabaloo of an exhibition were very - un-precise, un-prompt, forgetful and just lacked professionalism due to the above reasons. By this time I was feeling very sick - Dust, Dust, Dust, and the night before it was cold when we walked around CP. So got home and here I am unable to sleep and writing! Hopefully tomorrow will be awesome!
Breathe! (actually breathing here is tough with all the dust... I shall wear a mask and breath!)
Humayun's Tomb
Connaught Place, at night!
And yes I wore my Vibrams everywhere!!!!
