Namaste from India!

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Adam relieved at finally arriving (Express 66, Room 205)

A week has passed since we left Seattle, on our way to Delhi. Our two flights were quite long, and slightly delayed, but we landed safely. Our first few days in Delhi were entirely spent getting settled and adjusted.

We left a very cramped and uncomfortable plane, only to be greeted by a very bright, smiling face. Puneet, cousin of a good friend from home, was waiting for us at the airport, despite our arrival 3 hours tardy. This was only the beginning of his warm personality. I have found that most Indians are very kind, polite, appreciative and thoughtful, despite their surface-buried passion for growing their bank accounts. Puneet, however, was not interested in money, or our very appreciative thank-you’s for everything he did. Our time in Delhi could not have been more welcome, and I know that his friendship is the reason.

With some very kind help, we are now well prepared for our mini-retirement in India, with a local cellphone, and wireless modem that operates over Reliance India’s very extensive CDMA network. These technologies have already made our journey very convenient in booking hotels, flights, taxis, locations and directions, not to mention keeping in contact with friends and family.

Along the streets of Chandi Chowk, Old Delhi.

The older regions of New Delhi are filled with poverty, the likes of which I was not prepared for, despite warnings from friends. It took me several days just to accept the notion that people actually live in some of the places that they do. The pollution makes asthmatics out of the healthiest of us, making a scarves a necessity when traveling by auto-rickshaw, to cover your nose and mouth.

You will quickly notice that nearly everyone in Delhi wears a scarf, however it is not just a popular fashion trend. A scarf is a barrier from all the environment has to throw at you; the hot sun, the cold nights, the sand in the breeze, the mosquitos at dusk and the pollution on the roads.

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6 Responses (6 Comments, 0 Trackbacks ):

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1. Hunter Nuttall

   Feb 12 08, 9:32 am

   1

   It’s nice that you had Puneet there to help you get started. I’ve wondered how people were able to acclimate to a country that’s so different, it might as well be another planet. I guess it’s a big help to have a local contact, local cell phone, internet access, and a mostly English-speaking population!

2. Amar

   Feb 12 08, 11:43 am

   2

   Welcome to India, I live in Delhi. Feel free to contact me for any assistance/information/discussion; in fact, it will be great to meet you! Looking forward to follow your “Bliss among Chaos” journey!

3. Annie J

   Feb 16 08, 2:32 pm

   3

   Lots of people are unprepared for the poverty levels – it is rather alarming, I suppose. I had thought the same when I first went but became accustomed to it.

   I am glad you met warm people! Puneet sounds like a wonderful person. :)Not all Indian people are money-hungry, but social relations works totally differently in India. Everyone is much closer to each other (i.e. you actually know all your neighbors). Anyways, nice update! Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself. :)

4. Sri

   Feb 18 08, 1:30 am

   4

   Hey!
   I’ve been a subscriber of your blog feeds on thinksimple. I’m really excited to hear you’re in India. I’m based out of Delhi these days. In case you need help, would like company or have questions about places in India, I would be glad to help. You can email me!
   I’ve lived in quite a few cities in India and my friends there would love to take you guys out.
   Have a great time!

5. Brittany

   Mar 04 08, 8:27 pm

   5

   Hello Adam and Tina,

   I’m glad you guys are having a great time out there. I’m pretty jealous. :P

   I just got back from dinner at the Tait Residence and you guys are in the conversation topics every day.

   Don’t rush back we are seeing another 40cm this week along with our freezing rain storms last week. :S Fun Fun.

   Everyone misses you. See you when you get back and visit Ottawa again.

   Cheers,

   Brittany

6. AlanKelly VerbatimIT

   Jun 04 08, 5:11 am

   6

   Ottawa?/Outaouais?
   Gorsh, I used to live in Aylmer, but now in Champlain, NY

   Of all writings, postings and images posted therein my favorite was the leaping Leh youngster (mountains in background)

   Too, the giant bee, and bad service and all that suffering (?) would be “par for the course” eh?

   Thanks for sharing. Are you actually “in” Ottawa? If so, that’s sort of interesting. I used to live in Aylmer and often practiced (meditation) at Ottawa Shambhala Centre.

   Alan

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