Waiting for it....

I'm waiting for Delhi Belly. It hasn't happened yet and I've been here 2.5 days.

I've been so busy today and yesterday. Today was definately more fun. As I have never been to India before and arrived alone, I decided to do a 3 week tour to get a feeling for things and then head south for 2 months to roam around. I'm with traveling with Intrepid who are a super low impact tour operator who I have done short tours with before. Small groups, lots of free time to do whatever, and not too much hassle. I've already learned so much from our group leader that I can't be let down from here.

Delhi is mad. It's craziness of the same order as Cairo, and I felt as out of place my first day here as I did there. However, after today, I feel SO much better. It's not like I will ever look like a native, but I went and bought myself 2 salwar kameez' which are the pajama like outfits all the women wear if they aren't wearing a sari. It's really comfy and deceptively cool. I got one in cotton and one in chiffon (it's not as extravagant as it sounds... it cost less than $5). Both included top that reaches the knees, pants, and a long scarf. One is super practical, and the other is super vibrant.

I have now learned how much extra shit I packed. I should have left the monopod because I used it once, and my fleece is going in the garbage. It's too bulky and I wont be needing it until who knows when. Other useless crap, extra tshirts, and I am a huge book slut so I have separation anxiety with every one I read. The last two have been Dune and Little Women. Dune because it's just cool, and Little Women because it was there in a hostel and was on the BBC's "Big Read" list of the best 100 books ever. Anyway, I also have a new one from another tour member and feel guilty about leaving the other two in a hotel because no one wants them.

I experienced my first Delhi public bus. What a ride. Shoving and pushing and stinky people, but once you get a seat next to an Indian woman, it's easy as cake. The older the better because they shoo away all the assholes. Nobody in the group got mugged or pickpocketed and it was a successful journey.

What else... I walked by the Red Fort this morning, and also visited the Friday Mosque. Both these pictures don't show the amount rain and humidity that I had the pleasure of experiencing this morning. The area of town that these are in is a bit sketchy (and muddy and filthy) to say the least and I was super glad to have someone to follow.

After that, we all crowded into a jeep and headed back to Connaught Place for a really relaxing and snazzy coffee at a Italian coffee chain. It's sort of like Starbucks, but a frappe cost me $.80 and they use mineral water for everything. Whew, my last taste of ice cream for months... That's also when the fun started.

Kat (the Aussie I am sharing a room with) and I decided to go buy some clothing so we didn't look SO out of place. I didn't think I looked that different, but when the three South Africans on the tour walked right by me without recognizing me, I guess there was some change. Also, we bought some essentials like saline (which everyone told me was nonexistant but I found within 30 seconds and it was the same stuff as at home, made in the States) , toothpaste (Colgate!), laundry powder, and the all important TOILET PAPER. I think I am going to make a shrine to TP when I get home. Really, I am.

Tonight we do the overnight train thing, and it should be interesting. Hopefully we will have 2 compartments to ourselves so we can play cards. That was the one think I forgot to pack, playing cards. I will have to buy them along the way or Ant can bring some when he arrives in October (hint hint).

I hope everyone's enjoying my blog and Stephan I got your email. I'm, glad you get a chance to read everyday over your tea and muffin. :)

If anyone has any interesting news from home, drop me a comment, I'd appreciate the news/feedback.

Namaste!!