India!

Hey hey there,

Ok, so we managed to get back to Bangkok alright and find accommodation at 6am. Ran a few errands and ate a lot of food before saying bye to J on the 2nd. She flew home to do her masters at the end of September, and Haz and I headed to the airport on the 3rd....

It was so strange flying again and I LOVE Jet airways! The most delicious food on board, great wine and the films went down a treat. I have no idea how BA and other British airlines can get the food so wrong! Our flight was only 4.5 hours, but unfortunately due to bad weather over Delhi we were diverted to another city, had to refuel and then fly back. We then got chatting to a very interesting and lovely guy while collecting our luggage, so didn't get out of the airport until 2.30am (1am new time)... a little shattered!

We are staying down Main Bazaar in Delhi, which we expected to be similar to Koh San Road. Not at all. It is much narrower, and has some of it roped off with chairs and rope for wet cement. It it mainly mud with lots of stones to trip over, and is far more hectic, intense and more challenging than Koh San! We knew things were going to be strange when we saw cows walking down the road last night...

We managed to find a great little hotel with an en suite room (loo on the floor, have to use measuring jugs to pour water over me to shower as the water pressure is non existent) with our own beds, great fan and a TV with HBO. Sorted. We bravely ventured out this lunchtime to have absolutely gorgeous and such cheap Indian food. We can get eggs, toast, porridge, something else and coffee/tea for 80p in a respectable backpacker cafe here - so cheap!

Saw the Red Fort, balked at the price of entry and decided to return another day to look at it with more time, and went to the biggest mosque in Delhi, capable of containing up to 25000 worshippers! Mental. Called Jama Masjid, we weren't allowed in until the men had finished praying, so sat down. We were soon surrounded by the most entertaining and friendly street children who played games with us and wanted to say hi. We turned around and there were about 50 people standing around watching us, about 3-4 rows deep. Very very strange. They also want to have photographs with us all the time - but one by one rather than a big group, so we get stuck places for ever! It's hectic and crazy and dirty and smells of urine all the time, - far more challenging than easy Asia. But it's so much better. It's far more rewarding, far more strange and if this is the least popular city (apart from Mumbai) backpackers go to in India, I think we'll be ok.

(But I'm continually taking imodium as the state of the loos is pretty horrific!)

So had a great day, but need a bit of mental quiet time and a drink to absorb it all! Luckily we slept for about 9-10 hours when we arrived so don't feel too physically tired.

Leaving Delhi Monday afternoon for an overnight bus up to McLeod Ganj to hang out with the Dalai Lama, learn some Tibetan monk massages and do yoga and meditation too. Can't wait!

Anyway getting hungry, so lots and lots of love from us both,
Al xxx