The India experience

Well we are finally here experiencing the whole India affair. Delhi is a blast to the senses alright. The taxi ride from the airport to our hotel is something to remember. There appears to be little or no specific road rules. Cars, trucks and any other roadworthy vehicles emerge from out of nowhere and vie for there place on the road. It's the most amazing thing that there are no major crashes, well at least, not what we have seen!

Our hotel is right in the heart of a busy market area. After 15hours of flying we were pretty tired and all went to our allocated rooms which range over 4 floors. Our very modest accommodation is very interesting indeed. We have had to buy our water and toilet paper. It has been a real eye opener.

People are everywhere, there is a mass of conglomeration!!! People, taxi horns blarring, cars, buses and trucks in continuous motion.Cows, just roaming freely in the small narrow streets and dogs everywhere. They sleep on the side of the road, under tuktuks, you name it. It's unreal. Delhi, it seems, is a constant throb of all of this activity.
Today we went to the bazaar and wandered around then went to Connaught Place, where we looked at more stalls. This afternoon we did the taxi ride experience again and negotiated our way in and out of traffic; weaving our way to the New Zealand High commission, where we had afternoon tea put on for us. It was great. John Subritzky, the deputy high commissioner welcomed us and in return we gave him a copy of 'Canterbury Tales' and the 'Earth Whisperer' CD. For an extra treat, the boys did a haka.
So far, everyone is consuming the rich experiences and have had alot of fun either watching the bartering or actually being involved in bartering. They also love the idea of being that much richer, as they call it. Our NZ dollars equate to hundreds of rupees.
There is a what appears to be a blanket of smog. The air is thick and it is like a very poor visibility if you related it to diving. A few tissues have been used by most of us and I am having to consume lots of water to lubricate my dry throat.
Today some of the students saw beggars; children, blantantly in your face, like annoying sandflies that you just want to swat away, to some badly deformed people with their begging bowls. It wasn't a good sight!!!
Surprisingly, despite the congestion of cars and people and the smells and the thick air and everything else I have to say, I admire the way our team of students have got onboard and handled this incredibly new situation so well.
Reflecting on our day has revealed some pretty amazing stories.
Marty, has another fabulous day lined up for us tomorrow.