Day 62 - New Delhi
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Saturday 9th October
Day 6 Commonwealth Games
The Aussies weren't in action at the netball today, so I'd pre-purchased tickets to the tennis final for tonight. But given the crap quality of the players (the best ranked player was 100 in the world), I'd decided to forgo it for a day of sightseeing.
First up was some time on the internet. I had booked my accommodation in Delhi until Thursday, and with my flight not til Saturday I had intended on spending Friday and Saturday at the Taj Mahal/Agra until I realised the Taj Mahal was closed on Fridays! So I decided instead that I would go to the Taj Mahal on Wednesday (no netball action - and I'm sure I'll see heaps of athletes there, given it's so close to the end of the Games); and would splash out to spend Friday night at a luxury hotel for a bit of pampering. Based on the best prices I could find online, I booked into the Park Hotel (coincidentally, the same hotel I'd picked up my tickets on Monday).
I took a tuk-tuk to 'Old Delhi' in the north, intending to walk along 'Chandri Chowk', the much recommended market there. The street turned out to be a non-event - so much for the great shopping and street food! I ended up tucking into some McDonalds due to the lack of food.
Across the road from Chandri Chowk was Red Fort, the much lauded attraction. The price was rather steep - 750 rupees for foreigners (as compared to 100 rupees for Indians!), but comparable to what you would pay in any other 'Western' city (about $20). The complex was sprawled over a large area, and I snapped away happily. But the Indians all wanted to snap me! It is a status thing for them to have their photos taken at tourist attractions with 'Westerners', so I was approached on numerous occasions by Indians wanting their photos taken with me. I happily obliged - on the condition that they took a photo of me in return (a good way to get photos of me at the attractions, rather than of just the attraction). I even noticed some Indian guys slyly taking photos of me on their phone cameras - the blonde hair must do it for them (because I wasn't 'provactively' dressed!)
I went back to the Commonwealth Games HQ for what I decided would be the last time to try for merchandise, and found the 'shop' - finally. You'd except the merchandise store for the Commonwealth Games to be a large set-up right? Well, this consisted of a card table in the lobby, with a volunteer and quite literally a sack with 3 items - a plate, a nylon shirt, or a ball. Um ... pass!
I hadn't realised before just how close the HQ were to Jantar Mantar, an ancient group of sun-dials constructed in the 1700s. They were really fascinating - sun-dials showing the time (to the nearest 15 minutes) in Delhi; times in Japan, Zurich and London; even lunar calendars and astrological calendars. I had refused the service of a 'guide' ("I am not a guide Ma'am, it is my duty here at Jantar Mantar to advise you of the history"), but he persisted on telling me the back-story and taking photos of me at each of the monuments. Of course at the end, he turned to me and and put his hand out, requesting payment. I refused on principle - "I didn't ask for you assistance!" and he nastily skulked off (I made sure I exited in a group of other tourists, to prevent any conflicts!)
Outside of the building was a lively market, where I was ecstatic to find some Commonwealth Games shirts! Although counterfeit, I happily purchased 3 - one for myself, and one each for Denise and the PNG Mum I'd become friendly with, as both had been unable to find merchandise as well, even at the Athletes' Village!
Returning to Karol Bargh (where my hotel was located), I ordered some take-away from a nearby restaurant - rather than have me wait for them to cook it, they said they would deliver it to my hotel (Indian hospitality really is amazing - Delhi had a saying, "The Guest is God", which they truly do apply). Only probably was they delivered it without cutlery - expected, given it's India, but it's hard to eat hot, gooey dinners with your fingers! (This is where my travel knife came in handy, substituting as a fork as best it could).
Another night, another problem with my room - this time three things: a light flickering; my TV not working; and the room key missing. I really can't wait til I check out ...
Day 6 Commonwealth Games
The Aussies weren't in action at the netball today, so I'd pre-purchased tickets to the tennis final for tonight. But given the crap quality of the players (the best ranked player was 100 in the world), I'd decided to forgo it for a day of sightseeing.
First up was some time on the internet. I had booked my accommodation in Delhi until Thursday, and with my flight not til Saturday I had intended on spending Friday and Saturday at the Taj Mahal/Agra until I realised the Taj Mahal was closed on Fridays! So I decided instead that I would go to the Taj Mahal on Wednesday (no netball action - and I'm sure I'll see heaps of athletes there, given it's so close to the end of the Games); and would splash out to spend Friday night at a luxury hotel for a bit of pampering. Based on the best prices I could find online, I booked into the Park Hotel (coincidentally, the same hotel I'd picked up my tickets on Monday).
I took a tuk-tuk to 'Old Delhi' in the north, intending to walk along 'Chandri Chowk', the much recommended market there. The street turned out to be a non-event - so much for the great shopping and street food! I ended up tucking into some McDonalds due to the lack of food.
Across the road from Chandri Chowk was Red Fort, the much lauded attraction. The price was rather steep - 750 rupees for foreigners (as compared to 100 rupees for Indians!), but comparable to what you would pay in any other 'Western' city (about $20). The complex was sprawled over a large area, and I snapped away happily. But the Indians all wanted to snap me! It is a status thing for them to have their photos taken at tourist attractions with 'Westerners', so I was approached on numerous occasions by Indians wanting their photos taken with me. I happily obliged - on the condition that they took a photo of me in return (a good way to get photos of me at the attractions, rather than of just the attraction). I even noticed some Indian guys slyly taking photos of me on their phone cameras - the blonde hair must do it for them (because I wasn't 'provactively' dressed!)
I went back to the Commonwealth Games HQ for what I decided would be the last time to try for merchandise, and found the 'shop' - finally. You'd except the merchandise store for the Commonwealth Games to be a large set-up right? Well, this consisted of a card table in the lobby, with a volunteer and quite literally a sack with 3 items - a plate, a nylon shirt, or a ball. Um ... pass!
Outside of the building was a lively market, where I was ecstatic to find some Commonwealth Games shirts! Although counterfeit, I happily purchased 3 - one for myself, and one each for Denise and the PNG Mum I'd become friendly with, as both had been unable to find merchandise as well, even at the Athletes' Village!
Returning to Karol Bargh (where my hotel was located), I ordered some take-away from a nearby restaurant - rather than have me wait for them to cook it, they said they would deliver it to my hotel (Indian hospitality really is amazing - Delhi had a saying, "The Guest is God", which they truly do apply). Only probably was they delivered it without cutlery - expected, given it's India, but it's hard to eat hot, gooey dinners with your fingers! (This is where my travel knife came in handy, substituting as a fork as best it could).
Another night, another problem with my room - this time three things: a light flickering; my TV not working; and the room key missing. I really can't wait til I check out ...
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