We started the GradyBunch travel blogs in 2011 on our trip through US & Canada. At the time it was a way to keep in touch with family… bearing in mind this was before the proliferation of iPhones and facebook! This is the fifth trip we’ve captured, and each time I’m so grateful to have a detailed record of our daily adventures and reflections, well after the trip is complete.
This year, we’re off to India and Nepal for 3 weeks. Why? We’ve learned that our favourite trips have a spirit of adventure, are rich in culture and history, and challenge us a little. We’ve particularly enjoyed developing countries, and value the way they shape our perspective on life. From there, we wanted somewhere with decent weather at this time of year… Spin the globe, and here we are!
We’re currently in Singapore, about to head to Delhi. Before we get there, it’s always valuable to capture our expectations. On the flight I’ve been reading ‘Holy Cow’ by Sarah McDonald. It tells the story of her year as a twenty-something exploring India in 2000. Her immersion is fascinating, and confronting at times. I’m expecting India to be a sensory overload of colour, scents, people, and activity… Coupled with a reality check of poverty, smog, poor sanitation, and general craziness.
About to take off… Here we go India!
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We made it.
Somehow it feels like a blend of craziness at a complete standstill. It must have taken an hour to get from Delhi airport to our hotel, but it can’t have been more than about 12km on the highway. Everything just seems clogged, providing great lessons about infrastructure planning.
There were great lessons in perspective on the drive. These guys drive so close to each other that a motorcycle wouldn’t fit between the cars and the buses. They turn a 4 lane road into 5 lanes, and yet somehow the cars aren’t damaged (too much). The horn is used in consideration (‘just letting you know I’m here’), rather than in anger. If you learned to drive in Delhi you would look at the Australian respect for lane markings and think we are all completely crazy.
The day was warm and smoky, and there were masses of people hanging about in the main shopping area near our hotel. It’s an interesting mix of market stalls and high end boutiques. Everything is dusty, so this is definitely not the place for anyone with OCD!
Part of the adventure this afternoon was sourcing cash. ATMs are scarce, and the queues are ridiculously long since the Indian govt suddenly took 500 & 1000 rupee ($10 & $20) notes out of circulation. It must have taken us 1.5 hours to get the only note on offer – 2000 rupees. When we tried to break it in a shop… “Large note. Very big problem”. I think their cash situation will curb our spending!
To finish off the night, we spent some time with our Indian guide, Javed. He took us to a local spot for dinner, which had invested in a liquor license (v expensive) so tended to attract tour groups. Food was a really good version of the Indian we might find in Brisbane. I wonder how much this might have been shaped to the Western palate… I’m sure we’ll find out!
Enough. Busy day, and another one tomorrow!
Love theBunchx
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