Thursday, 7 Dec 2006: Delhi beckons

Left Muscat for New Delhi on WY 845 at 3am. The flight departed an hour late due to some problems with loading baggage. Arrived New Delhi in the morning, 30 minutes after scheduled arrival, in near fog-like conditions. Completed immigration and waited in the arrival terminal for a friend who was to travel with me over the next few days. Once we met up, we got prepaid cell connections from the Airtel booth at the airport. Took a cab from the airport prepaid taxi counter, and finally discovered Smyle Inn – the budget hotel we stayed in at Chandiwalan, Main Bazaar Road, Paharganj next to New Delhi Railway Station.
The ride was bumpy, yet adventurous. Checked in, had difficulty catching up sleep, and spent the evening navigating the dingy, but hectic alleys of Paharganj.
Went exploring Connaught Circle later. Watched Casino Royale at the Rivoli. Really swanky theatre; was pretty amazed at the level of security! Ate from a Punjabi Dhaba, and went to sleep with MTV blaring in the background.

To view more snaps from New Delhi, click on http://new.photos.yahoo.com/schmoozeby/
Type 'New Delhi' in the 'search tags' field in the top right corner and click 'Go'.

Friday, 8 Dec 2006: Delhi Deewana

Decided to explore New Delhi Railway Station which is just a few minutes walk from the hotel. Was greeted by the glorious sight of a stunning Vatva WDM2 beast lugging the Ahmedabad Rajdhani which had earlier arrived on platform 1. Felt a tremendous adrenaline rush… later got to the International Tourist Bureau to pick up the INDRAIL pass. Was advised by the helpful officer that it’s always best to buy the pass, after pre-booking all journeys. Since my journey plans weren’t clear as of then, didn’t end up buying the pass.

Later went on a 1-day package tour of New Delhi that cost around 150 Rs. Clicked my first snap since my visit to India. Visited Red Fort, India Gate, Raj Ghat, Parliament House, Qutab Minar, Bahai Lotus Temple and Iskon Temple. The sights on the road were pretty interesting. Gave an impression of Delhi as a city with a lot of buzz, even thought it was quite unclean. Got back late in the evening. Felt ill the entire day, as I was coming down with a terrible cold and fever.

Apparently a cold wave was on in Delhi, with the mercury dipping down to 6.5 degree Celsius, the coldest day that season. I had gone to Delhi quite unprepared without appropriate winter wear for this chilly weather, and it was no surprise that I fell ill. Crashed into bed after hogging tabs.

And oh yes, let me describe my ‘Vicks trick’, that came in handy during my Delhi sojourn. I always kept dabbing Vicks ointment around my nostrils, during my bout with cold. Gradually I realised that it kept me immune from the stench in streets of Delhi, especially in Paharganj. The Vicks stayed with me, even after the cold went away. Thus, I basked in a blissful ‘vicks generated aura’ wherever I went.

To view more snaps from New Delhi, click on http://new.photos.yahoo.com/schmoozeby/
Type 'New Delhi' in the 'search tags' field in the top right corner and click 'Go'.

Saturday, 9 Dec 2006: Down in Delhi

Missed the sightseeing trip to Agra to catch the Taj and Agra fort. Spent the better part of the day fighting a lonesome battle against cold and fever. Managed to venture out to the IGIA (Indira Gandhi International Airport) to speak to the Airtel guys regarding my prepaid connection which they hadn’t activated as of then. Took an auto rickshaw to the airport from New Delhi Railway Station, asked the driver to wait for me, while I promised to return within 5 minutes. Came back to discover that he left without taking his fare from me. Watched him scoot away with another passenger, as I yelled in my frail voice for him to come back. Felt quite amused! The Airtel connection kicked itself to life in the afternoon. And then broke into cold sweat when I discovered that my ATM card from India wasn’t working! Thanked God for my NBO Card, which I promptly used to take some cash. You bet they charged me crazy for that. :(
Took a much anticipated joy ride on the Delhi Metro from one end to the other in the evening. Enjoyed it tremendously… hats off to Delhi for coming up with such a marvellous transit system. Hit Connaught Place in the evening, dined at Berco’s, a swanky Chinese restaurant. Nothing better than Tom Yum soup for a soul down with the flu!

To view more snaps from New Delhi, click on http://new.photos.yahoo.com/schmoozeby/
Type 'New Delhi' in the 'search tags' field in the top right corner and click 'Go'.

Sunday, 10 Dec 2006: Adieu to Delhi

Spent the better part of the day exploring Connaught Place. Was among the first customers at McDonalds in the morning. Three cheers to the veggie burger. Went to New Delhi Railway Station to get tickets for our journey to Varanasi the next day. Was told that all trains were running full and was asked to come back three hours before the departure of a particular super fast train we wanted to catch. Headed to Connaught Place which had become our regular jaunt by then. Ate at TGI’s late afternoon. I gulped down a Mojito, while my friend devoured pasta and beer. Took the metro to Chanakyapuri and then had a round in a cycle rickshaw. Came back to New Delhi Rly Station, braved the long queues, the unbearable heat and put on a brave front as we were told there were no tickets available in Sleeper or AC classes on our train. Was recommended to see if Delhi Station had tickets. Took the metro to Delhi, stood in the long queue only to be told there were no seats. Was finally approached by a tout, who got us tickets on the Brahmaputra Mail to Mughalsarai which is 16 odd kilometres from Varanasi. Bought them with some trepidation, as I was kinda worried if they were bogus. Also felt quite annoyed about this criminal practice where railway officials told passengers that there were no tickets, but sold them to touts. Headed back to New Delhi by metro rail, got our baggage and then headed back to Delhi Station in an autorickshaw. Saw numerous marriage processions on the road (baarat). Apparently it was the most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar to get married. And then it rained! Ran into a quite swanky eatery at Delhi station, couldn’t help laughing out aloud hearing another of those funny radiomirchi ads. Tucked into a sombre plate of curd rice…

To view more snaps from New Delhi, click on http://new.photos.yahoo.com/schmoozeby/
Type 'New Delhi' in the 'search tags' field in the top right corner and click 'Go'.