Didn't get much sleep last night; only four hours. Woke really early and just lay there for about an hour. Got up about 6.30am and not wanting to use the bucket to shower with or stand in toilet water while doing it, I used my trusty supply of dettol wipes to clean my face, arms and legs.
Decided to go for a walk early and explore a little bit. I wander down to the train station through the chaos and constant hounding by different people. My confidence is growing each step that I take.
Breakfast is at a little place up the road from my hotel on Main Bazaar. While I'm sitting waiting for my honey pancakes to arrive, I am alerted to the fact that the owner of the place is using one single rag for every chore that needs a rag. He's wiping the tables, the floor, his hands, and the eating utensils all with this one manky rag. I try not to think about it as I munch my honey pancakes using only my hands which I decide will be cleaner than the utensils he gave me.
After breakfast I make my way on foot from Paharganj in Old Delhi to the famous Underground Markets near the centre of New Delhi. I am amazed as I scan all of the items available for purchase; everything you can think of from pirated DVDs, to "Gucci" belts and wallets, to clothing, and jewelry. As I walk around this area, I notice how much worse the pollution is and how many more beggars and homeless people there are, especially children. The pollution has made my snot go black and the back of my throat have a constant burning sensation; kind of like when you have an accidental, acidy spew burp!
I get lost trying to get back to Paharganj from the markets but eventually make it back by finding the train station again. It's kind of my reference point for the whole city.
Decide to have a bit of down time once I get back and I spend it sitting on a one man balcony at the hotel, looking down through spider webs of electrical lines that look disturbingly dangerous, into the alleyway where the hotel is situated. The constant noise and pollution is both physically and mentally draining.
I go and buy a snap camera for 500 rupees from this little Kodak place on Main Bazaar as I have already used up the films on my other disposables; 3 in fact. I am skeptical about whether I'm getting a good deal from these dodgy looking fellows but they prove to me by taking my photo and showing me other pics, that they are legit.
Dinner is at Sam's Rooftop Restaurant on Main Bazaar and I spend a good deal of time just looking down and marveling at the ant like people all scurrying about the street. I order the thing on the menu which I feel will be the least likely to give me the dreaded "Delhi belly"; steamed vegetables and rice.
I'm back on the balcony again writing my journal and I realize that the initial shock of the Indian way of life is starting to wear off, my confidence is growing, and I am feeling much more positive about my decision to come here. I wonder whether the anxiety will return as I hit Kolkata in a few weeks time.
To be continued…
