The India Diaries: Blonde in Delhi

Our last day in Delhi was Christmas day and we started our day with a visit to Humayuns tomb, which was built by the same family who built the Taj Mahal. We continued to see the architecture similar to the other mosque we visited and along the Delhi roads.  What first caught my eye when we got into Humayuns tomb wasn't the architecture but the puppies. Near the first gate were two tiny puppies - very malnourished. After walking a bit longer, we found yet another skinny puppy. This is very difficult for me to see - I wanted to feed, bathe, and adopt them all but unfortunately I couldn't. I had to pry myself away and try to keep my mind off of these poor animals.

After touring more of the temple I fell in love with the sweetest dog in the whole world. It was the mother to the puppies I had seen earlier. She was the saddest thing I've ever seen but so lovable! I found a granola bar in my purse and fed her half of it. She scarfed it down in one bite and begged for more so, of course, I obliged and gave her the rest of my bar. She followed me around for the rest of the afternoon and was so happy to be fed anything. It was heartbreaking and I really still can't stop thinking about this experience.

Humayuns Tomb was the first time in India where I was heartbroken by an animal and the first experience with the Indian paparazzi. I was told before coming to India that it was quite the experience being a blonde tourist there. I wasn't prepared for the swarms of people who wanted a photo of me, with me, with their mom, with their child, with their cousin. It was insane! I probably took 60 pictures that day and heard the weirdest things from various men:

1. "Hey sis, you lookin' gorgeous"

2. "I WILL remember you."

3. "What nation are you from?"

It was a bizarre experience for sure.

So it's day 3 in India and so far no one has really gotten sick. Sure the occasional upset stomach occurred and I am so glad! We've almost escaped Delhi without Delhi belly! Hopefully we make it Agra without getting sick! Merry Christmas from Delhi!

-blonde in bangkok

The India Diaries: Delhi pt 1 (video blog)

Video proof of the plane pervs and our crazy ride to Delhi.

-blonde in bangkok

The India Diaries: Delhi pt 2

Jama Masjid in Old Delhi

Waking up in Delhi was a mix of excitement, nervousness and anticipation. I couldn't wait to get out and explore the city!

Robes for women in Jama Masjid

First stop: Jama Masjid temple in Old Delhi! We took a couple of hours to walk around and enjoy the temple. There were homeless people inside the Jama Masjid, which came as a surprise to me, begging for money. It was beautiful though and a great introduction to Indian architecture - it had a lot of similarities to other temples we visited through the 15 days.

Robes for women in Jama Masjid

Cotton Market by Jama Masjid (park is on the right side)

As our visit to the temple wound down, we all met up outside to look at an incredible view. We saw far off into the distance the tips of temples which were covered in fog. (Delhi has to be in the top 5 most polluted cities in the world!) We watched a game of cricket amongst children in a nearby park but then our eyes settled on a crowded market down below. Before entering Jama Masjid, our driver briefly mentioned that the areas surrounding this temple were very dangerous but once we saw this market we had to go. I had some apprehensions and had no idea what to expect but it was something I'm VERY glad I did.

The market was called the Cotton Market and was next door to the park. This area has to be the poorest area I've ever seen in my life. After we walked briefly through the introduction we got right into the heart of this madness. First shock? A potentially dead body lying on the downhill steps to enter the rest of the market. Then I saw the first (of many) instance of a child defecating on the street. People attempted to grab at us and the staring was reallybad - some stares were these coldhearted stares that I'd never felt before. I was very uncomfortable and it only got worse.

As we got closer to the park, as we were exiting the market, we saw the most interesting of all. This park was some type of drug center. We saw kids huffing, violence, and people who were out of their minds on drugs. There was also a women caressing herself who decided she needed us to be her audience for this. This was when I was ready to go home but there was more to do (hopefully the next stop would be better)!

Stop 2: Raj Ghat, where Gandhi was cremated.

We walked into Raj Ghat thinking we were going to a park until we came across a sign telling us what momentous event went on here. We scoped out the area on an elevated walkway and it was truly gorgeous. Lots of people came to pay their respects to Gandhi and flowers adorned everything.

We decided to end the sight seeing on a positive note since we were still feeling overwhelmed from the Cotton Market...so we ate some more food! :)

flowers at Raj Ghat

I once again managed to eat a delicious daal, it was my favorite Indian food so far. I eyed some Indian desserts but couldn't fit anything else in my stomach. After leaving the tourist trap restaurant I fell victim to another tourist trap - the snake charmer! How could I pass this up though? I was in India. What better time than now to overcome a fear? I was terrified, and ripped off, but it was all in good fun - and made for some great photos.

After lunch we were in dire need of an ice cold beer. We went through an area that looked "high so" (as the Thais call it) and the Oz Cafe sign called out to us. I experienced my first (of many) Kingfishers and was able to unwind from the culture shock I'd experienced from the Cotton Market! This was the best possible way to end a wonderful day in Delhi! :)

-blonde in bangkok

(by the way, order a Kingfisher soon. you won't be sorry.)

The India Diaries: Delhi Part 1

Having a visitor from back home makes it difficult to live in Bangkok. I love the time that they're here but it makes me miss them that much more when they leave. Luckily after my dad's 2 week visit in December I was hopping on a 5 hour flight to New Delhi! I was nervous and excited and it got my mind off of being homesick.

My introduction to India was uncomfortable and happened before even leaving Thai soil. In the row next to my friend and I was a group of Indian men who spent the next 5 hours staring at us - oh yeah and did I mention they had their iPhones out watching a porn. Immediately after the seatbelt sign was turned off, they started a childish fight with our flight attendants over a bottle of water. So far I was not impressed with the actions of these men. I felt them staring even more and knew they contemplating starting an unwanted conversation with me.

"Can I have some of your water?", the airplane perv asked. "No sorry but I think you can buy some." I said quickly turning my head to avoid eye contact. "Would you like a beer? We have an extra." (wait I thought beer wasn't sold on Air Asia...hmm...) "No thanks.", once again I avoided eye contact but this time I was smart and decided to put my headphones in. They got the hint and I started drifting off to sleep until I heard another commotion coming from these men. They were arguing with the poor flight attendants once again, this time about the banned booze. She told them if they opened their beer she would be phoning the police. This finally got them to shut up and the rest of the trip was filled with stares but they were no longer brave enough to attempt a conversation.

Indian tuk tuk in Delhi.

3 hours later we were in India! We had a 35 minute drive before arriving at the Oodles Hotel in New Delhi. My first impressions of India were as follows:

1. They were no women in sight but LOTS of men were wandering the streets.
2. The tuk tuks are a lot different than our Bangkok tuk tuks. These are closed in the back and have double benches for more passengers.
3. Traffic is insane. There are no lines in the road and even if there were I don't think people would drive in them. Everyone is honking all around us (cars and trucks even say "honk please" on the back).

So far so good. I wasn't experiencing a visual culture shock which helped to ease my mind. Our hotel was quite nice and we were greeted by pleasant staff. We began (and ended) our night in Delhi with a trip to the hotel restaurant where I had my first taste of India. I ordered a delicious vegetarian daal and butter naan. At the end of the meal also came a delicious palette cleanser of paan and sugar - which also freshens your breath. I can live like this for two weeks.

-Blonde in Bangkok

Travel Tip #2

Sunday while I was taking a form of Bangkok transportation, I overheard a group of three men say "let's just pick a side - we will figure it out".

2. Never just "pick a side"! Most public transportation goes one way or another and if you choose this route, you'll end up lost in a foreign city. Read the train maps and know your destination it'll get you far.

-Blonde in Bangkok

Travel Tip #1

Ready for my top travel tips??

This is a random yet very useful list of things to know based on my own experiences.

1. Don't look like a tourist. Whipping out your map on a crowded Bangkok street is a GREAT way to get scammed by a tuk tuk driver for the infamous jewel scam! Ready your map in the hotel room before hitting the streets to avoid this traveler faux pas.

-Blonde in Bangkok

Episode 3 - 10 things to do in Thailand

Episode 3 is finally here! What should you do on your trip to Thailand?? Here are 10 (sometimes unusual) ideas.

-Blonde in Bangkok