Here we are. It amazes me that we got on a plane and 24 hours later we were in India, which might as well be another planet. As we were flying in last night, both Mangala Sadhu Sangeet and I remarked that it looked just like a US city would - lights, cars, buildings. It didn't look all crazy. But then we landed and set foot outside the airport. And no worries - it hasn't changed that much in 7 years. It is, in fact, still crazy.
Even something simple and common like riding in a car is crazy. If your vehicle is just barely not touching the other vehicle, that is considered keeping a distance. Use of horns is as much a part of driving as using a turn signal in the US. If there is an inch of space anywhere near you, it is understood that someone will squeeze in front of you or around you, making two lanes become three - even if that means driving into the oncoming traffic lane, even if that means squeezing out that family of three on the motorcycle. And all that with the horns plus rickshaws and bikes and pedestrians. And LOTS of all of it.
Walking around, you will be offered rides, tours, textiles, fashions, posters, maps, games....or something like ear cleaning. Because doesn't every one come to Delhi and have their ears cleaned by some guy in the park? NO? But he has notebook with names of past clients from America, from England...where are you from?
And then there is the child with no feet, dragging himself through the shopping bazaar. Saying, "Hello, Hello?" He is dirty and asking for money.
It is so much. SO MUCH. More to come...
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