New Delhi

Day 133 - 139.

Delhi was very much a tale of two cities for us, on the one side it was a town of bribing police officers, walking the slums and avoiding menancing children with paint filled water bombs on a daily basis. On the other it was late nights chatting politics (the usual Modi down low), enjoying panarmoic views of Delhi and sharing a glass or 4 of Chile's finest Red.

The latter of course was courtesy of Pawan, our super freindly couch surfing host. We weren't to know this before hand but Pawan lives on the 18th floor of Delhis newest gated community, which would be luxury back home, let alone Delhi. We're not quite sure how we feel about it just yet, it feels somewhat morally wrong to be volunteering at a Delhi slum school during the day but retreating home in the evening to be wined and dined. Sufficed to say comfort and his city night tours in the 4x4 won us over swiftly and we stayed put.

Exploring the heart of this old city was sheer madness. The old city in particular, home to Asia's biggest spice market and just about every form of transport imaginable meant for incredible sight seeing, forget the camels the main mode of transport in Delhi is still man, you quickly learn to swiftly sidestep upon hearing the rising chorus of shouting from behind, always just narrowly avoiding the 900kg almond cart that undoubtedly comes pummelling past.

The modern metro here has not only proved a lifeline from the above but also a great time out for impromptu Spanish lessons, courtesy of Limbster. I think as a result my Spanish is really coming along, can't speak for Ellie as much (apparently something to do with my questioning) but hey it's not a race...

We weren't in Dehli to just sight see after all, our main commitment was the PETE NGO working at the nearby slums. Although the charity itself was sadly super inefficient (so much so limbster went full jewellery shop one day) it was still a great cause and really helping local slum families so we were determined to have a positive impact. Limbster actively defying Shiva to distribute clothing to as many kids as possible being a real highlight of our stay.

On Day 3 Pawan went AWOL along with a fellow couch surfer who had arrived late in the night... It would turn out he would not return for the next 3 days, which meant the flat and it's entourage of cook, cleaner and secretary was all ours to look after. Rather than questioning the oddness of the situation we chose to embrace it, and for the next 3 days it felt like we were back in an upgraded version of 42 empress heights! Oh how you can miss the simple pleasure of cooking breakfast, shopping at the local store and a cheeky G&T on the balcony to finish the day!

It might be time to reign it in with the food, although not sure what impact it will have with 3 days remaining, but the bad habit of ordering not 1 but two dinners every night has to stop, no matter how good the Chole Bhator is! Jalebis however can continue, god how we love a good Jalebi - or twenty :D

After saying farewell to Shiva and the kids at PETE it was time to leave Delhi - how one week has flown by!

P.s

It was a choice of a 200 rupee bribe (£2) or a ticket and trip to court after running a red light... shame English police don't quite follow this efficient practise.

We don't know if Pawan ever returned with the aforementioned couch surfer. His bedroom door remained locked throughout. Sure everyones alive and well..Leggi altro