Delhi

I really hit the ground running in India! After 36 hours of travel (door to door) I had a pretty good first night’s sleep in my pretty nice hotel.
This morning I got up and started to explore! A very friendly and helpful gentleman sent me to ‘Connaught Place’ in a rickshaw. It’s pretty much tourist-ville, except on Sundays when everything is closed! A bit of a miss. I then made my way on foot to the Red Fort, followed by some exploration one one of the crazy shopping streets. Feeling the need to relax and avoid the honking busy roads, I took the metro to the Lotus Temple, which is one of 7 Ba’hai temples in the world (hope Caitlin reads this!). Wow, is it beautiful. I spent most of the afternoon there and in a neighbouring park.
Some highlights thus far..
– seeing someone on the street doing (and selling) Spirograph! I bought one immediately, without even bartering. Brought me back to my childhood!
– looking at henna stamps, then the lady starts stamping my whole left hand and forearm. I hope it’s not some crazy toxic dye. Anyway, I was a bit surprised and in shock so didn’t stop her. Then when she started on my right hand too I just succumbed to the pressure (and the rupee provision).
– not really a highlight, but I’ve had at least 20 people wanting to take my picture. I’ve said no to all but one little girl.
– the really helpful Indian people. They really are. Some of them I could tell have an ulterior motive, but for the most part I find them to be genuinely kind. For example, I had a crowd of people around me and my map trying to help figure out directions.

Tomorrow I head to the superb of Noida, where my course is being held.