Today is the first day that I have actually, thoroughly enjoyed so far. Slept excellently last night, probably as a result of not having slept well the previous few nights. Still woke early as I haven't adjusted to the time difference all that well.
I decided to head to this little place on Main Bazaar for breakfast called Sonu, where I eat a tasty, onion masala dosa and again only used my hands as a result of severe paranoia over the rag, utensil incident.
I decide to head down to the train station just because I get a very real feeling of India and the Indian way of life there just observing all the happenings. Observations I make are the fact that it is probably the dirtiest place I have seen I my life. Rats and mice scurrying around; rubbish strewn everywhere (especially beetle nut packets); and all of these orange spit stains, which I eventually work out to be the leftovers of the beetle nut.
Some men on the opposite platform from me are taking a wizz onto the tracks below and exposing themselves to everyone including a group of kids who are crouched down there eating lunch.
The porters I find extremely amusing because they are jumping, literally, at every train that pulls in, to carry people's bags. They are all trying to be the first onto the train so that they can be of service to the best clients, and so boarding the train before it stops is a prerequisite. I identify these porters by the coats they are wearing which are a bright red. The fact that even with the competition for the service amongst them, they seem to be good friends and watch out for each other.
I wander the bazaar on the way back to my hotel taking note of the colour that surrounds me and how good the fruit looks that piles the sidewalks; delicious red apples, bright yellow bananas, and juicy, round oranges. Of course, they are washed in the local water and doused regularly to make them appealing for the many potential shoppers, so I'm not buying any.
Being a teacher, I organize a tour of St Columba's School where I have arranged to meet the Christian Brothers and take a tour. I take an auto-rickshaw there and again my adrenaline is pumping as we race by the many thousands of people all going somewhere and having something to do. The school is a middle class, Catholic school, but amongst the shambolic look of Old Delhi, it looks extremely well off. I learn from one of the Brothers that the school is used as a shelter for lepers during the night where they receive a meal and a safe place to sleep. I get to meet a few of them but unfortunately their English is very limited (plus they are extremely shy and reluctant to talk). I am not at all bothered by their deformities and am happy to see that something is being done to help.
I make my way to Sam's Rooftop Restaurant for dinner again and am wondering when, or if, my belt of food poisoning is going to kick in.
I have been subtly asked today, many times, and by a number of people, if I would like to buy some hashish. These people seem to slink out of the shadows at opportune times and ask in a whisper, “you like to smoke?” When I say no, they don't bother me as other traders do because I think they are a little worried about the big, beige dressed policemen who wield big sticks, arresting them.
Apart from a cold which I have contracted from the pollution in the last 24 hours, I have had a great day and am looking to forward to tomorrow and more of what India has to offer.
To be continued…
