We're here...and yes, it's time to disco.
Got in Delhi about 10:30pm local time Sunday night...flights were long, movies were bad, but sleep was good. NO iPOD makes Wes go crazy. This was a mistake. Had a beer around 7:00am in the Amsterdam airport, so it couldn't have been that bad...
It's HOT here! Stepped outside the airport, we all were kinda like "uhhh it's after 11:00pm shouldn't it be cooler than 95". Apparently there is a record heat wave going on around Delhi, temperatures around 44 degrees C during the day - roughly 110-115F. We're staying at a very nice guest house in Delhi, from what I can figure only about 10 minutes max outside of the direct downtown area. Darrion is my roomate...I think I've started to grow dredlocks, or at least, a crummy, wannabe beard.
Monday was great, woke up early, had breakfast at the guest house, then piled into 3 cars which took us to the Hotel Imperial. It's about the swankiest place I've ever eaten lunch, very 19th century British influence and feel. Nice pool, great service, beautiful floors, etc, you get the picture. They had a grand piano but it was locked, they wouldn't let me play. oh well, bad kharma for them, right?
Went walking/window shopping around downtown Delhi w/half the group for a few hours, then we all met up for lunch at the Hotel Imperial. Great food, but not very Indian. Went back to our place, chilled for awhile, then the girls took 1 car and went shopping, and others went to a park near a river, but myself and Dan Meckel (trip leader) took a car to the Bahai Temple, which was very cool. Shoes off, no pictures inside, the whole deal. It is built in the shape of a lotus flower, all marble inside. I have pictures (external) but until I get them off my digital I'm sure you can google it.
After that, the coolest part, we walked across the street and visited a Hindu Temple dedicated to the God Kali. By far the most culturally interesting experience of my life. Poverty, crowded, can't even begin to describe the experience, just so many things that made it very unique. The walk to it, the architecture, the people surrounding it, and the tradition of exchange that goes along w/a Hindu temple. The basic idea, as I understand it, is to give something (an offering) to the God and in return you will leave with a piece of him/her that you can keep for yourself and share with those close toyou.
Felt very uncomfortable and out of place for much of the time, but clung to Dan and his Hindi and did alright. Most met were very friendly and conversative. Kids were obnoxiously begging for a few rupies, not in a sad, poor way, but in an annoying, joking sort of way. At least here, anyway.
We went inside (thank you Dan for speaking Hindi) the temple. Very cool experience. Later that night, at Red Fort (Mogul Empire), a sound and light show about Indian History. Sort of cool, but by far the coolest part was the bicycle rickshaw ride there. Roads/driving in India is the most insane thing I've ever been a part of, including jumping out of a plane in Chile. People don't care about lanes, cutting people off, etc. Insanity. Sheer chaos. A steady stream of "Honnnnnnnk"s. Imagine riding a bicycle rickshaw in the midst of it all. I took a video on my digital camera, it's pretty funny.
Next day (Tuesday), travel to Mussoorie (train and car), mountain town about 7000 feet up built directly in the cliffs. Very cool! Very different than Delhi, and cooooler (temp wise and surroundings - I'm a sucker for mountains). Beautiful views all over - at the foothills of the Himalayas. Had a great dinner Tuesday night followed by a memorable hour or two or three at a local pub. A few rupies the bartender's way and a lot of loud music American music, we got the place up and dancing ("It's time to disco") - it was interesting to see how the bartenders tried to cater the music selection to our group - Pink Floyd, John Denver, classic rock, some rap, etc. Finally they gave in and let us choose whatever they wanted from their CD collection. Most of it was really bad though, and I once again found myself missing my iPOD and CDs, and Hammond B-3, and piano, and Strat.
Today, woke up early (6:30am-ish) with a few others from the group, had a great breakfast, then went on a 45 minute ride to a waterfall/swimming hole - stopping at another Hindu temple on the way back. A good nap and here I am. Ooooh - and I just cracked the seal on my first Immodium AD tablet - lets get this party started...
Overall impressions: Delhi was kind of as expected, although I didn't think it
would be that hot. It's a big, hot, chaotic, polluted, hazy, crazy, urban center that seens easy to lose yourself in. Not my style (maybe that's why I go to school at St. Mary's?)...Kind of made me think of an India-style Los Angeles. Mussoorie is great, much more low key (although the main street is crazy and hectic at times as well). and cooler (very refreshing). Air is significantly nicer to breath, even though it is thinner. There are three main bazaars, which are the lifeblood of this town. Interesting economic structure, seems very retail-sales rooted. Tourism is big here, apparently the British established this community when Delhi became too hot in the summer months. Became an escape for British soldiers and their familes, now mostly all Indians except those who come to study Hindi here (or pass through, like ourselves).
Saw incredible poverty on the train ride from Delhi to Mussoorie. ripped tarps as roofs, caving in walls, no running water, etc. Mussoorie itself has its slums, but on the whole people seem well off enough, although, hardly by Bethesda soccer-mom standards.
People throughout the country seem to enjoy the presence of our group. We get crazy stares, of course, everywhere (thats another thing, much fewer westerners encountered than I imagined - so far at least), but for the most part I would describe the feeling as fastination rather than contempt. Vendors, obviously, target us and frequently yell things or try to intice us to enter their stores by attempting English (sometimes very successfully). In Delhi, before lunch at the Hotel Imperial, we walked through an open air market (all 13(?) of us) and felt ridiculous. We might as well have all been wearing matching bright yellow shirts and hot pink pants with our cameras out and signs on our backs that say "RICH TOURIST."
I feel stared at sometimes, yes, but because people are curious, ESPECIALLY kids, and for the most part I feel very welcomed by locals. Actually, based on my experiences in Chile, I expected much more of an anti-American, anti-western sentiment, but so far, this has not been the case. I have been pleasantly surprised by the smiles and good eye contact I have received. Much more than in the
US where everyone seems to have gotten real good at hating each other.
Meeting the group for dinner now, must go, more later (5 days or so?) - 14 km trek to Kedarnath day after tomorrow - going to even a smaller town than Mousourri w/2x the elevation. I BROUGHT TOO MUCH SHIT! Considering ditching jeans and extra underwear and socks, really only need 2-3 changes of clothes for this whole excursion. Glad I brought my fleece, but I am such a girl when it comes to packing. too much stuff. I am way too prepared.
Much love to everyone (family/friends/teachers), my iPod, my keyboards, my Hammond B-3, my Fender Strat, my dog, and the good folks at Immodium.
Eternally rockin in Asia,
Wes
posted by Wes | 5:21 AM
1 Comments:
Hi Wes, its great to hear that you got there safely and that you are having a culturally enriched time. Have some fun for me!!! -Sharlitta
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