Grace and mum sent me off at the airport. My flight on Air Sahara was at 9.30am, and so I was at the airport by 7.30am. Mum was a little apprehensive about my trip as it would be the first time I'd be travelling alone. Plus, she didn't have a clear picture about the level of security there. I could see the worried look on her face as I waved goodbye, but I knew she always had a heart to support whatever decision I made.
The flight on Air Sahara was fairly pleasant. I was surrounded by a group of 33 other Singaporeans who were on the same flight. They were on a packaged tour orgainsed by a community centre. People tell me my experience of India usually starts on the flight, but not for me.
REACHING DELHI
I sailed through immigration at the Indira Gandhi International Airport easily. Reaching there at 12.40pm, I was surprised that the airport was fairly empty. I pulled out the email with Jayant's instructions - turn left and wait at the lounge area when you come out. After retrieving my backpack that Jun so kindly lent me, I walked out, looking out for Jayant. And there he was, smiling widely and congratulating me for making it thus far alone. And yes, I was a little proud of my achievement so far, but it had been fairly easy. No jostling with hoards of locals and foreigners, no problems with immigration, no queues, and I got my baggage easily.
Jayant himself was surprised that the airport was empty. He said that if I had arrived any later, it would be packed. Lucky me. After a quick exchange of notes, I jumped into Jayant's car and headed for Ashok Hotel where I were to change my Singapore dollars to Indian rupees. I was told that it was important to change money with an authorised bank and get a printed chit so that it would be possible to change the rupees back to Singapore currency if need be.
The Ashok Hotel was grand. The tall sikh man standing by the doorway reminded me of Narajan Singh at the Raffles Hotel where I once worked. Along the way, Jayant told me about the history of the hotel, and pointed out the embassies at the central part of Delhi. It was sad to see that the embassies were like forts, protected by high walls and barb wires. That is what threats of bombs and terrorism worldwide has done to us.
We stopped by a cafe at near the Sheraton. Jayant seemed to know the manager there well, and it warmed my heart to see the manager ask Jayant how he could improve himself so that he could further his studies. That was how they valued education. In the backgroud, I saw high school students grouping together and having fun - no different from our Singapore students, right down to making their uniforms a fashion statement, the baggy hipster pants and shirts pulled out really loosely.
I had a sandwich and coffee and sat under the hot sun with Jayant as he went through with me the entire Blowhorn Travel itinerary I were to go through for the next six days. I tried to absorb as much information as I could, and tried to picture what I'd be going through. I was a little lost, but I knew it would all come together in a full picture after the whole trip was done.
VIEWING DELHI
We left the cafe and Jayant drove through what I learnt was the Imperial Delhi route. We passed by the parliarment house and it immediately reminded me of the parliarment house at Washington DC. Seeing the buildings and expanse of land, I figured the British must have spent loads of money to have these built to show their power to the local Indian people back then.
Tight security, wide roads...
Grand gates...
Grand architecture with a touch of colonialism...
White cars, used to signify ferrying a person of high status...
We headed next to the tomb of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun. Jayant brought me round and briefed me on how I should approach the Taj when I head there alone tomorrow. The tomb was similar to the Taj in design, only less grand and not made out of white marble.
Emperor Humayun was a simple man and the tomb as built by his widow when he died. It was surprising to see that his tomb was the simplest - no engravings, no etchings. Just plain and simple like the man himself. Slowly, I learnt to appreciate the architecture of the tombs. Jayant pointed out the design elements characteristic of the tombs back then - the symmetry, the star of david (six-sided star), the grooves of the palm tree (characteristic of portugese design), and the quad-system of design (four trees surround one tree; four gardens surrounding a building etc).
The marble tomb of the emperor. In the background is one of the many lattice-carved marble with the intricate designs. Each slab you see is carved out of a single piece of marble. Imagine the intricacies and patience in having this made!
Jayant also pointed out how the shape of the domes have evolved throughout the years, it being more round now. In fact, I was told that when the Taj was being built, the king was so frustrated that the designer couldn't get the roundness of the tomb right, he pulled a persian girl, stripped her, and pinched her nipples just so the designer could get the idea of what he wanted!
We left the tomb and headed to the Parijat Guest House at GK1. It was simple guest house, and knowing that the accommodaation in Delhi can be really expensive (some US$400 for a deluxe room in a hotel), I appreciated the savings I got staying at the guest house. After all, I'd be out on the road most of time, so as long as I had a bed to sleep on, and good showering facilities, I was satisfied. :) Here's a look at my accommodation at the Parijat Guest House..
A big huge bed that could sleep three people easily...
The room had a simple sitting area as well...
And a beautiful front porch that had a multitude of flowering plants. Simply beautiful!
THE MARKETPLACE
I dumped my backpack and freshened up a little before meeting up with Ritu, who would be with me on the second leg of my trip to the countryside. Then both Jayant and Ritu accompanied me to the nearby marketplace to shop by myself. I appreciated the time alone, and found myself a bookshop which I was drawn to. Spending my first 250 rupees, I bought myself the book Sarah recommended I should read to understand the Indian culture better - Being Indian by Pavan K Varma.
It was getting dark and cold and so I headed back to the guest house to have my dinner - rice, chapati, curry and dahl.
I smsed my mum to tell her I was all ok on Day 1 in India. Tomorrow, I'll head to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.
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