Delhi - Arrival

The flight was plain and simple, like all other flights. The plane had actually arrived on schedual, in fact, some minutes ahead. Once I left the airplane, I was greeted by the warm heat, and the special smell that always seem to follow it. 2330 - I headed for the baggage claim, and out to the arrival hall. So far, smooth sailing. Everyone seems to rush out, without any order, no lines, just push and shove until you get yourself through the gate. Afterall, this is India, and there are no rules (not practically anyway). After dodging the hordes of people, and out to the main arrival hall, I was greeted with people holding name cards, and the eager taxi drivers trying to get the tired tourist in their car. My initial plan was to sleep at the airport until morning and to catch a bus into town to the "backpackers" district. But I had apparently left the building and the guards with guns were protecting the gate. I didn't know left from right, as I had not slept much on the plane and the night before, and was already feeling exhausted from the impressions and the heat. While hauling my backpack and handbag around my neck, already drenched in sweat, I tried to get into the departure hall, but found out that you need your airline ticket to get in. At this point, I was feeling the pressure, of not booking and perhaps planning a bit ahead. But you learn from your mistakes right, and backpacking is all about living and learning and to keep moving. I went back to the arrival hall and told the guard I have to get in because I forgot something or I have to meet someone - don't remember what I said, but it worked. A small white lie goes some way. and I supposed he figured "regular tourist" and let me back in. Phew...at least now I can sit inside and avoid the hordes of bugs. I made my way so some chairs and sat down, in what would be a real long night. I tried to kill time by finding some tourists and talking to them, but there weren't many to be found. Thick tock, thick tock....

I'm on the bus now to New Delhi Train Station. A long ride, and a very bumpy one. 5am. As I look through the window, I am amazed at the poverty. There are people everywhere, sleeping on the floor, bikes, and rikshaws. Basically, where ever they can lie down. There are loads of stray dogs running around as well, and we can't forget the cows. The bus has an interesting system, as there are no signs, nor real "bus stops" and the guy sitting next to the driver would yell the destination and people would hop on and pay later on the bus. There is no organized traffic system and the cars are constantly honking. I eventually make it to the train station but I had to ask the driver several times where I am and how much longer, as I have no clue what the station looks like. After jumping off, I was again greeted by hordes of rikshaw drivers asking and pesking me about rides. As I nudge them off, I head for the train station and ask the guards for the directions to the hostels. No one really knows, but they point me in one direction and off I go. The thing about india, or at least in Delhi is that there are no street names posted anywhere and having a map proves to be quite useless. My destination was Main Bazzar, but I ended up several roads off of it, and unable to ask anyone for proper directions (due to the late hour of the night, 6am, and the only people out are the indians who are trying to rip you off), I avoided all offers for people coming and asking me to come to their hotel. I end up going into several hotels asking for prices, but they were way more expensive than what I had read in the guidebook. So I tried negotiating it, but wasn't able to bring it down much. I eventually found a place for a reasonable price and decided to stay there. To be honest, it really didn't matter at this point as I was practially a walking zombie. Finally, a bed. Time for rest...

Update:

A tip: Remember your passport is your key here, as it's your sole source of identification, and it's needed for many things, including room bookings. It is vital to never let it out of your sight, as there were several occasion when I was booking a room that the photocopier did not work (they register your stay with a copy of your passport and visa) and they wanted to hold on to the passport until morning. Be blunt, and refuse, tell them you come back in the morning when it works, or find another place. There was another occasion when the photocopier didn't work and they wanted to send the errand boy with my passport to a copier accross the street - the same rule applies here, follow the boy and hold your own passport, never leave it out of sight! :D