Musings of an Idiot

Change...

It has been 2 days since we have been in Delhi and the one thing which has become really clear is that I have changed - for better or for worse. Is it good or bad - I don't know but I definitely feel out of place and time here. I really do and there are really no words to describe how.

There is construction going all over Delhi - Metro is being completed, flyovers and under passes are being made, buildings are being constructed everywhere and on the surface it feels like it is a growing city but I sensed a decaying city being torn out by the increasing capitalist and status driven society. But then my eyes might have become jaded after spending 3 years in NZ and I might be taking a biased look at the city.

Dad took us shopping in Connaught Place on the first day and we used the Metro for travel. C.P was the same but different and the shopping was fun because of my picky nature. While Lance found what he wanted really quick, it took me atleast 7-8 shops before I found one sweat shirt that I liked, so both Lance and Dad were laughing at my picky nature.

Metro definitely has made an impact on the transportation structure in Delhi and a lot of people were using it. The funny thing which happened was on the way back home (it was rush hour), Lance did not press himself enough to get into the carriage. The doors closed on him as he was boarding and he got squeezed between the doors, he had to use his superhuman powers to wedge the doors apart with his shoulders and get in. Everyone close by had a good laugh because of the incident. It was nothing major though.

Yesterday, dad again drove us to Lotus Temple, Qutab Minar and Delhi Haat. The whole thing was exciting but definitely left all of us really tired because of the distances involved. The thing that was infuriating was that they have differential pricing for locals and foreigners. We paid Rs.10 {about 20 cents US} for our entry into Qutab Minar while had to pay Rs. 250 {about US$ 5} for entry for Lance. I think the concept is simply wrong when used in such extremes and I was definitely disappointed.

I met up Anshuman and Gargi yesterday night over dinner and I'll be catching up with old friends on Saturday and looking forward to seeing them. I seem to be the odd man out at the moment - all my close friends are married and 2 of them are expecting kids within the month. All this is definitely not helping my cause at all and it is hard explaining as to why I am not not married yet. I think that's a constant struggle that will keep happening across this trip.

Anyway, got to get smaller things done today and have to plan a trip to Agra for tomorrow, so bye for now.
Love,
Amit

posted by Amit @ 7:49 AM