Delhi - The culture shock

After a good eight hour rest, I rinse off and decide to head out to orient my self with the place. Delhi - a love it or hate it place. That's what they say. The whole impression of Delhi did not prove to be on my better side. I was heading for the New Delhi train station to go to the International Tourist office. I have read before hand in the guide book that people will try to take you to their own guide place to earn a commision and to scam you, and will come up with all sorts of lies about the official tourist office being closed, it's a holiday, or it's burned down. And low and behold, on my way, people seem soo friendly but beware because they are only after your wallet! This guy comes to me being all friendly asking for my destination, and I tell him. And guess what he tells me - the tourist office is closed because of holiday. I laugh out load, and tell him that it's not closed, and head away from him. A few minutes later, another guy comes to me and tells me that the office is 3km away, and he'll show me the way, he'll walk with me the whole way and show me. I turn the otherway and walk away. There is one thing I realized very soon. People are not what they seem here. Everyone wants to earn money and rip you off. And they are constantly bombarding you with questions, asking about you, and the worst, following you for several minutes before giving up. It's horrible. You are never left alone, and you know that everyone that comes up to you is trying to cheat you. This is Delhi. I finally get to the Tourist office, and guess what, it's not closed nor burned down. Ha! I decided to leave Delhi asap, and asked for directions for Rishikesh. I had to wait two days until I could leave as the trains were fully booked. Well, at least now I have a ticket :D

My Japanese friend -
I met Hironori at the tourist office. He had just arrived too, and we decided to explore Parhanganj(main bazzar) together. He had told me that he found a cheap accomodation, at 160 rupees, which roughs out to ca 30kr. Half of what I payed for my previous night. I decided that I can stay in his district while I wait for my train. The following day, I stayed at a neighboring place and got a room for even cheaper, at 100 rupees, ca. 15kr. But you really get what you pay for, as it felt like a prison cell with no windows and you can imagine the last time they changed bedsheets or even cleaned the room. Normal prices for room vary from 350 rupees and up. Unfortunately, Hironori was leaving the same day, but we did enjoy each others company, and exploring the tiny back roads of Parhanganj. We also learned that prices in Delhi/India has gone up quite a bit since last year. I've heard this from other tourists as well. It's also very difficult to bargain in Delhi, perhaps it will be a little different in the country. And the traffic - heh -motorbikes, scooters, people, cars, cows and children all over the place...I'm surprised not more people are hurt during the course of the day. Overall, our impressions of Delhi were similar, and we wanted out soon :P Patience...