May 25, 2009

[Arrival in Paharganj, New Delhi.]

My first trip out of the country. Wow. We spent an hour in the airport waiting for our bags, exchanging money and booking a cab. The airport was miraculously empty. We were the only Monday night flight picking up bags. The bathroom had no toilet paper, but luckily there were paper towels on the floor…

What a first introduction to the world. The cab ride was a 45 minute whirlwind adventure over highways and market streets. 99 degrees and humid when we set out at 9:00 PM. It began to rain and lightening as we zipped, honked, swerved, slammed and jumped. All the drivers quick, all over the place, honking, but not aggressive. Very different.

The hotel is a great cheapo. Marble tile floors, corduroy head board, cool shower and a couch… oh and an incredibly nice, overly present hotel worker, desperate for a room service order.

We ate at the Diamond Lounge, where I took just a few sips of my delicious, but sketchy looking lemon mint soda. We also drank a beer at the Gem bar with a bunch of locals who were watching the cricket game… very interesting. I was given help by four young men, all trying to get the plastic off of my water bottle.

Big, bloated cows, small skinny dogs, poop-filled barnyard smell (subtle), dark, dingy side stores and carts. Very few women out at night. But despite the poverty and filth, this place has a light-hearted, positive vibe. The people are kind, somewhat open and joyful, despite and in the face of circumstance. What a place.

“Welcome to the world", says Max, from a dark bar in Paharjang, Delhi!!