Delhi with the group

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  Delhi, India
Tuesday, October 11, 2005

The group are a really good bunch, and I enjoyed today very much, despite my injury (more on that later). There are 12 of us, plus our guide Umed, and we comprise of: Alex and Dominique (he is American, she is Belgian); Dominic and Claudia from Switzerland; Charles from New Zealand; Rudy, Pam and Chester from Australia; Graham from Australia; Joe and Kathy from American; and me the token Brit. We are a good range of ages and so far seem to be getting on well and having a laugh.

Umed took us on a tour of Old Delhi this morning. We got into town on a local bus, what an experience that was! Firstly we went to the Muslim Mosque, that wasn't really that special apart from the fact it can hold 25,000 in prayer. And on the way up I was followed for about a mile by a little boy who begged for food all the way - he was so gorgeous and it broke my heart to have to shoo him away. Horrible. After that we walked through the crowded streets to the Sikh temple, which was very interesting. We had a tour of "backstage", watched them counting the donations (thousands and thousands of rupees), and then went into the kitchens to watch them making chapatis - I even had a go myself!

We left there and had a wander through the Spice Market, which was fascinating, but there was so much to see, it was impossible to take it all in, as well as follow the rest of the group! Umed had the idea to take a cycle rickshaw so we could see a bit better (as well as move a bit faster), so we got on in pairs and carried on down the "road" (I use the term loosely). I think a stray cow must have wandered out into the street cos suddenly the brakes were slammed on, I was taking a swig of water at the time, and wasn't holding on, so fell knee first into the road. It hurt - a lot - and I provided much entertainment for the locals by sitting there bawling in the street. So that was me limping around for a while, holding up the rest of the group (sorry guys!). Got an impressive scrape and lots of bruising.

Took Delhi's very modern metro system to Connaught Place, where we managed to get ripped off AGAIN, by some guy who gave us a load of chat about taking us to the government shops (where things are of a fixed price) but after walking for 30 minutes we ended up at a shop I'd been to before, which was definitely NOT a government shop! Forgave him (just) because he told me I looked like Kate Winslet :-) (Though I think he actually meant during the last scene of Titanic, where she's drowning....) Felt that I deserved a very lovely banana milkshake after that. On dangerous territory I know, but bananas are a "safe" fruit. Not sure about the milk bit though!

Late evening we set off for Delhi station to get the overnight train to Mandawa. We had pre-booked berths in an airconditioned cabin, and thank goodness for that, because the train looked like something out of an old film and I expect the rest of the carriages left something to be desired on the comfort front. Our accommodation was pretty basic, but it was comfy enough, and we were provided with sheets, blankets and pillows. The journey to Mandawa was going to take 7 hours, even though it's only about 200 km away. Such is the state of Indian railways.

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Counting the donations	Delhi wiring system	Making masala tea	Preparation for the festival
Sikh temple, Old Delhi	Silver Street, Old Delhi	Spice market	Train from Delhi to Mandawa

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