We ventured off into Delhi at 6:30 in the morning. The rickshaw drivers informed us that just about everything we wanted to see was closed until 9pm...yup we tried to correct them, but they insisted everything opened at 9pm. :) So based on the huge gathering of people we saw at the Indian Gate the night before, we decided to make that our first destination! And guess what we found?
Kids playing cricket in the park! We watched them for a little while then decided to introduce ourselves and ask if we could play. A game that started with 3 kids turned into a larger game as curious kids wanted to join the game with these strange foreigners playing cricket. How about that for exercise in the morning? A little cricket and new friends! Not too shabby, and it wasn't even 8 o clock in the morning!
Afterwards we discovered what being pushy, generous, and conniving means in India. Through our varying methods of transportation such as a rickshaw cyclist and rickshaw motorbikes, we had the cyclist tell us we owe him nothing at the end of our journey unless we are completely satisfied. He ended up asking for about 3 times more than he had suggested in the beginning. Then we found a rickshaw motorbike driver. We told him we need to hurry to get back to hotel... "jaldi jaldi to hotel." You know what this man did? He took us to market so that he could eat breakfast and have a smoke regardless of my initial request to be "jaldi jaldi" about getting to the hotel. You know, this man sure loved America though! "America, Strong Country," he would say... about every minute of our drive. While he was chatting it up with his friends, my dear Eric hopped into the driver seat and tried to figure out how to drive that daggone contraption! Our driver helped him as a crowd of curious onlookers gathered 'round. It was an interesting sight! I stayed in the backseat in case Eric got the hang of how to drive the rickshaw then we could traipse off together! (Pish, riiiight, Pammi.)
Later in the day, we ventured off Pahar Ganj, a large outdoor market... Between Eric and I... in a 1 hour period we drank 7 glasses of the most fabulous iced "thanda" mango juice we've ever had! Done! Our mission at the market was complete.
Kids playing cricket in the park! We watched them for a little while then decided to introduce ourselves and ask if we could play. A game that started with 3 kids turned into a larger game as curious kids wanted to join the game with these strange foreigners playing cricket. How about that for exercise in the morning? A little cricket and new friends! Not too shabby, and it wasn't even 8 o clock in the morning!
Afterwards we discovered what being pushy, generous, and conniving means in India. Through our varying methods of transportation such as a rickshaw cyclist and rickshaw motorbikes, we had the cyclist tell us we owe him nothing at the end of our journey unless we are completely satisfied. He ended up asking for about 3 times more than he had suggested in the beginning. Then we found a rickshaw motorbike driver. We told him we need to hurry to get back to hotel... "jaldi jaldi to hotel." You know what this man did? He took us to market so that he could eat breakfast and have a smoke regardless of my initial request to be "jaldi jaldi" about getting to the hotel. You know, this man sure loved America though! "America, Strong Country," he would say... about every minute of our drive. While he was chatting it up with his friends, my dear Eric hopped into the driver seat and tried to figure out how to drive that daggone contraption! Our driver helped him as a crowd of curious onlookers gathered 'round. It was an interesting sight! I stayed in the backseat in case Eric got the hang of how to drive the rickshaw then we could traipse off together! (Pish, riiiight, Pammi.)
Later in the day, we ventured off Pahar Ganj, a large outdoor market... Between Eric and I... in a 1 hour period we drank 7 glasses of the most fabulous iced "thanda" mango juice we've ever had! Done! Our mission at the market was complete.
Sounds like you're having quite an experience. Can't wait to hear how the bus ride went. Love you both.
ReplyDeleteWhat a day! Loving your posts!
ReplyDeleteYour blogs are fun to read, but are kinda corny... kinda.. Please be safe while you "traipse" around those parts. I'm off to Haiti tomorrow. I'll message you when I get back May 28th. Eric, keep my sister safe and use YOUR common sense and not Pammi's, no offense sis. I love you both and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. :)
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