Day 63 - New Delhi
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sunday 10th October
Day 7 - Commonwealth Games
Tonight, the Aussies weren't playing until 9pm! Leslie had already decided she wasn't game to attend such a late match, but I was still keen and went downstairs to the hotel reception to organise a car to pick me up after the match. As always, they were useless - "Streets are closed, Madam!" they said. (Um, streets around Connaught Place were closed until 7pm yes, but I was asking for car in South Delhi at 10:30pm). "Expensive Madam, car will have to go down and then turn around to come back!" they said. (True, but I'm a single female travelling at night - do they not have any common sense?) I told them to forget about it, I'd organise my own transport instead.
I hailed a taxi to Haus Kaus, which I'd read was another quaint enclave like Khan Market. On arrival, I could instantly tell it was a disappointment, and last all of about 5 minutes before asking to be taken to Khan Market for a meal. Of course, the tuk-tuk driver didn't tell me until we were at Khan Market that it was closed on Sundays! His suggestion was South Extension (Defence Colony), and finally at stop 3 I found a nice series of shops and restaurants. I tucked into a 'Croque Monsieur' (a sandwich made like French toast with ham and bechamal sauce, except I replaced the ham with mushrooms), which hit the spot nicely!!
My must-do for the day was to book a trip to the Taj Mahal for Wednesday. I wanted to book it through a reputable agent in Australia, as most of the Indian agents had dodgy reputations, except I was finding that a lot of the sites required a minimum of 4 days' notice. Finally, I booked the trip through QANTAS holidays, entailing a private car and guide. Despite being only 200km away, it's a 4 hour trip each way - it will make for a long day on Wednesday!
I purchased a few snacks at the ex-pat stores and ate a frozen yoghurt from 'Cocoberry', the latest fad in Asia (quite similar to Rubees - choose your yoghurt, your size, and your toppings i.e. fruits/chocolates). I had intended on sight-seeing in the afternoon but wasn't feeling well - the pollution, constant air-conditioning and heat was all catching up on me, so I rested at the hotel for a few hours instead.
Back on the metro at 6pm, I arrived at Tyagaraj Stadium to watch the pre-cursor match with the PNG Mum, and then cheered for Kim as she ran on with the Aussie team (we substituted for her Mum and sister since they were absent!!) They played Trinidad and Tobago who were a good match - although the margin was 40 odd goals, it was a good hit out.
When the Trinidad and Tobago'an team had run out on court, I'd noticed this young girl in the team. You know how some people just have the 'it' factor? Well, this young girl was absolutely gorgeous, with legs like a super-model. We dubbed her 'supermodel', and were disappointed when she didn't get any game time. At the match's conclusion though, I went over to the bench and asked if I could get a photo with her. She was stoked to be asked for a photo - she was the baby of the team at 16 (she was a goal shooter), and we said we hoped we would see her at the World Championships next year.
We had also noticed the official photographer from Trinidad and Tobago, snapping photos during the match. Except, instead of having one of the fancy cameras that most photojournalists had, he was snapping away on a Sony Cybershot! We got speaking with him and he asked if he could get his photo with us!! We tried to get Kim's attention to get a photo with her, but she was busy stretching with the Aussie team, and resolved we'd get one on Tuesday instead. (I also want a photo with Luke Darcy then as well).
Still unsure how I was going to get home, Kila had the number of a driver she'd used, and we decided to share the car home - she'd get dropped home first, since she was closer, and then he would take me home. (I would have asked the Information Desk for help on calling a taxi if I had no alternative). We didn't get in the car 'til 10:45, and I wasn't home 'til about 11:30 - a late night!!
Day 7 - Commonwealth Games
Tonight, the Aussies weren't playing until 9pm! Leslie had already decided she wasn't game to attend such a late match, but I was still keen and went downstairs to the hotel reception to organise a car to pick me up after the match. As always, they were useless - "Streets are closed, Madam!" they said. (Um, streets around Connaught Place were closed until 7pm yes, but I was asking for car in South Delhi at 10:30pm). "Expensive Madam, car will have to go down and then turn around to come back!" they said. (True, but I'm a single female travelling at night - do they not have any common sense?) I told them to forget about it, I'd organise my own transport instead.
I hailed a taxi to Haus Kaus, which I'd read was another quaint enclave like Khan Market. On arrival, I could instantly tell it was a disappointment, and last all of about 5 minutes before asking to be taken to Khan Market for a meal. Of course, the tuk-tuk driver didn't tell me until we were at Khan Market that it was closed on Sundays! His suggestion was South Extension (Defence Colony), and finally at stop 3 I found a nice series of shops and restaurants. I tucked into a 'Croque Monsieur' (a sandwich made like French toast with ham and bechamal sauce, except I replaced the ham with mushrooms), which hit the spot nicely!!
My must-do for the day was to book a trip to the Taj Mahal for Wednesday. I wanted to book it through a reputable agent in Australia, as most of the Indian agents had dodgy reputations, except I was finding that a lot of the sites required a minimum of 4 days' notice. Finally, I booked the trip through QANTAS holidays, entailing a private car and guide. Despite being only 200km away, it's a 4 hour trip each way - it will make for a long day on Wednesday!
I purchased a few snacks at the ex-pat stores and ate a frozen yoghurt from 'Cocoberry', the latest fad in Asia (quite similar to Rubees - choose your yoghurt, your size, and your toppings i.e. fruits/chocolates). I had intended on sight-seeing in the afternoon but wasn't feeling well - the pollution, constant air-conditioning and heat was all catching up on me, so I rested at the hotel for a few hours instead.
Back on the metro at 6pm, I arrived at Tyagaraj Stadium to watch the pre-cursor match with the PNG Mum, and then cheered for Kim as she ran on with the Aussie team (we substituted for her Mum and sister since they were absent!!) They played Trinidad and Tobago who were a good match - although the margin was 40 odd goals, it was a good hit out.
When the Trinidad and Tobago'an team had run out on court, I'd noticed this young girl in the team. You know how some people just have the 'it' factor? Well, this young girl was absolutely gorgeous, with legs like a super-model. We dubbed her 'supermodel', and were disappointed when she didn't get any game time. At the match's conclusion though, I went over to the bench and asked if I could get a photo with her. She was stoked to be asked for a photo - she was the baby of the team at 16 (she was a goal shooter), and we said we hoped we would see her at the World Championships next year.
We had also noticed the official photographer from Trinidad and Tobago, snapping photos during the match. Except, instead of having one of the fancy cameras that most photojournalists had, he was snapping away on a Sony Cybershot! We got speaking with him and he asked if he could get his photo with us!! We tried to get Kim's attention to get a photo with her, but she was busy stretching with the Aussie team, and resolved we'd get one on Tuesday instead. (I also want a photo with Luke Darcy then as well).
Still unsure how I was going to get home, Kila had the number of a driver she'd used, and we decided to share the car home - she'd get dropped home first, since she was closer, and then he would take me home. (I would have asked the Information Desk for help on calling a taxi if I had no alternative). We didn't get in the car 'til 10:45, and I wasn't home 'til about 11:30 - a late night!!
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