Home » India » May 17th: Introducing India

Somehow I forgot I was going to India. My flights were so long; flight one taking me to Moscow, flight two to my final destination, Delhi, that when I got off the second plane, I just wanted to clean myself up before facing a new place.

May 17th: Introducing India

Esilbert
2006-01-19 13:17:55

Displayed times (last time: )

Somehow I forgot I was going to India. My flights were so long; flight one taking me to Moscow, flight two to my final destination, Delhi, that when I got off the second plane, I just wanted to clean myself up before facing a new place.

There had been no lights visible from the window of the plane and we were supposed to be landing in five minutes. Where were all the lights? Suddenly, they were there, bright pockets of stars, a Delhi constellation, shining dimly under our wings. But city lights seen from up above are still starry dreams until sky and ground merge. As we merged with the lights, and landed, (there was clapping when we landed in Moscow; none in Delhi) I left the plane and walked through the white tunnel to the airport. I was hit with a wall of heat, not unpleasant at 4 a.m. Only 23 degrees Celsius. Delhi had been having 44 degree days for the past two weeks.

Before facing Indian reality I just wanted to wash my face, use the washroom and then brace myself for the touts and taxi scams. I walked in and there was an attendant in a spotlessly clean washroom. Relief. As I opened the stall door, it hit me. I couldn't prepare myself for Indian reality, it had occurred when I wasn't looking, when sky and ground merged. The toilet was a hole in the ground, with two spots for your feet and a tap on the left hand side. A single mosquito buzzed in the stall. Worrying about toilets was one of the only things that got to me before I left, but this was it. I wanted to embrace the differences I face here, and I did, squatting down and hoping for the best. With no toilet paper, the tap is used to wash your left hand. Coming out of the stall victoriously dry, I washed my face, reminded myself to wait to brush my teeth with bottled water later, and stepped out for customs and getting my bag and changing money.

The Delhi Taxi Police are the people you want to take you to your hotel in Delhi. A ride to Pahar ...