Alright, so just because the connection in Delhi was faster than Malaysia it does not mean that the connection outside of Delhi will be the same...
We've been in India for just over a week now and I can honestly say that it's nothing like I thought it would be... Everyone always says that their first visit to the Indian Subcontinent is a life-altering experience. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I was expecting something monumental to overtake me. That has yet to happen and, in all honesty, I'm a little disappointed. I feel as though I've really come into myself during my time in Korea and Malaysia; I took a step back from my day to day life and made some very important realizations and, subsequently, equally influencial decisions. Perhaps it's because of these earlier revelations, or the fact that I need to leave the country before I feel the full extent of my travels. Maybe it's just because I've been feeling a little homesick lately. Whatever it is, it's definitely not what I expected. So what is it?
Delhi is pretty much my definition of hell. It's a bustling city that's been overcome with tauts. One day, while stopped at a red light with my window down, a little girl came begging for coins. Seeing as I didn't have any (and I refuse to encourage small children to beg) I said "no rupees" and proceeded to ignore her. That was all fine and good until she stuck her finger IN MY MOUTH. It was pretty horrible.
It's also very sad because people of every age are involved, from the oldest women I've ever seen outside a nursing home to the youngest infant. It seemed as though everyone was demanding money. Although this is pretty prevalent throughout India, Delhi was by far the worst. It hurt my heart but it's impossible to know the difference between the people who are truly in need and the ones who see it as easy money. Thank goodness there are legitimate cherities out there to donate to!
As I mentioned earlier, we were only in Delhi a short while before we decided to hire a car and a driver and get the hell outta dodge. That driver (not-so-affectionately deemed "Creepy Driver Guy"), although very attentive and omnipresent, has ended up being uber sketchy. Realizing this early on I gave him my best ice queen (which, as some of you know very well, can be downright freezing), and he seems to have gotten the point as his affections rapidly focussed on Caitlin. Although keeping him at bay has been a bit of a struggle, we've managed and it hasn't hindered our trip at all. It also helped that we had Creepy Driver Guy's not-so-creepy friend with us for a couple of days. He (more-affectionately-deemed "Creepy Driver Guy's Friend" turned out to be a sweetheart (albeit one in search of a mail order European bride...) who introduced us to his family in the village of Dudu (just outside of Jaipur).
This experience was a refreshing change of pace from the beggers and the tauts as we finally got a glimpse of the "real" India. It was a little difficult because tourists don't ever go to the village, so we were the main attraction for a few hours, but overall it was really cool. Everyone was so welcoming and warm and their hospitality will not be forgotten. It was so sweet to see how excited everyone was to meet new people and to hear about a different culture, even though communcation was difficult (which is, by the way, the understatement of the century). At one point Creepy Driver Guy's Friend pulled out a bunch of bananas to give to the kids and it was amazing how outrageously excited they were for bananas! I guess when you live in the middle of the desert, they are a rare delicacy!
Speaking of deserts, the camel safari was very cool. I didn't think I would ever consider the desert to be a beautiful or magical place, but it really is (and I don't care how "Hallmark" that sounds!). Again, it's one of those things that you can't fully understand without experiencing it, but I whole-heartedly believe that everyone needs to watch the sun set in the desert from the back of a camel, and count the stars whilst sitting beside that amazing animal, at least once before they quit this world.
So all in all, my first trip to India has been a mixed bag. I've fallen madly in love with tea and fully intend on planning a visit to Darjeeling at some point in the future, but other than that, I'm not sure I will return. I suppose, when all is said and done, only time will tell.
We head off to Agra tomorrow and then are on to Varanasi before Caitlin and I part ways. I'll write again when I get the chance, but I thought I should post this asap as I've been getting special requests for more blogging! ;)
Until next time
xxoo
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