Through the 18th

Because we have not had internet, I have been typing in word and will just transfer as I can. Below is a long post that gets us through Thursday afternoon India time.

Our last stop with that tour guide was a tomb. It had been built to become a large tomb/graveyard yet it was never utilized completely. Like so many other tombs it was built symmetrically on quadrants. There were several small chambers – each square and domed. Standing in the center, if you clap, you can feel the reverberations. Two people can whisper to one another by whispering into opposite corners on the diagonal. There were several brightly dressed Indian ladies demonstrating, They seemed to really enjoy their job although it was mainly for tips.

We went to another rug manufacturer. This one did not seem to be as high quality as the one in Jaipur. When we go and do not buy, our tour guide looks so disappointed. I am sure he doesn’t like to miss his commission I think I have posted this before, but I guess it really stands out to me.

I have to say something about our driver. He was most excellent. He was patient with us and the crazy drivers. He is tall and bulkier than many others we have met. Not exactly large just larger than the norm, I guess. This morning he made us all laugh. We have several bags- way too many. But we had so many things to bring to Eric and his friends here. He also have things for our trip to London. Anyway, the bellmen brought the bags down and ‘loaded’ them in and on the car. The driver just stood back with a funny smile. As soon as they were ‘finished’ he took the bags down and readjusted them in the way he knew they worked best- grinning the whole time.

We headed back into Delhi for our last night with Ashley. We were in search of a good meal and card reader, so Eric hired an ‘auto’ to take us to the mall. An auto is the three wheeled little taxi. Eric had asked the hotel about what it should cost to get us to the mall. When he hailed the auto, the guy quoted him a lower price, so without batering, we took it. Coming home, the guy wanted more than 3 times what the guy got for taking us there. They are usually surprised that Eric is fluent enough to haggle. He ended up paying more than the original but a whole lot less than the asking price. We ended up at a mall with a Chili’s. We had a couple of baskets of chips and salsa. I had fajitas and Dean had a steak. We think they must have been buffalo. It was ok, just not what I was expecting. We did not have any luck with a card reader. We did find Ashley a kurta. It was so overwhelming at the market, she had not gotten one earlier. Eric is going to take us to some other places in his city and surrounding cities to shop, so I didn’t buy one.

We didn’t like have to send Ashley back to Poland. It was pretty sad for all of us. Eric rode with her to the airport. Then he came back and we took a little break while waiting for our taxi. He called several of his friends to tell them about the engagement. He acquired a taxi from the hotel and we went to the largest Minarette, Qatab Minar. When he purchased the tickets, he said three in Hindi. The ticket seller was condescending when he said, “Your Hindi is very good, sir.” He then asked if we needed a tour guide. Again in Hindi Eric declined and said he had been several times before. This time, he seemed to mean it when he told him his Hindi was really good. He even offered him a a discount if he had had an ID for India. Qatab Minar is a victory monument. The builder’s son was going to build an even larger one, but they went to battle and it was never finished. The odd thing here was there were so many columns, but I don’t think any two were that close to being alike. They were very random.

After that, we went to a different mall to try for a card reader and a meal. We had TGI Friday’s. It was great and cheaper than a meal in the states. Still no card reader. We are going to attempt to find one, if not I am going to use the camera and transfer them, even though that will be very, very slow. This mall was huge! Many stores that were familiar, but so many that we have never seen. Did you know there are couture sari stores? Absolutely beautiful.

After the mall we went to the lotus temple. It was designed by the same architect that designed the Sidney opera house. Beautiful! I don’t know much about the religion or non-religion that it represents, but the sayings of their prophet were very similar to scriptures. Eric said he had been before when they were having a worship service and they read scripture.

When we got back in the car, the taxi driver told Eric he had a huge favor to ask. Eric asked what it was. He said that he would like to take us to a market. We were not obligated to buy, but if we went, he would get 200 rupees. Eric agreed. The prices were not bad, so we did a little shopping. The driver even called to tell us he was out front so we could leave and not feel obligated to shop. They would even make suit for you and have it delivered the next day. They had beautiful saris and so many other things. I didn’t want to buy a lot there as we were already packed to go to Eric’s city. They were doing some remodeling. We had to walk over fresh mortar and bricks on the steps, but no one seemed to mind. When we stopped to look at something- more than just a cursory glance, they brought us seats and chi. They will show you the cheaper goods, but they really do not encourage you buying those.

Since we had so much fun shopping there, Eric decided to take us to the real bazaar in Delhi. You have to pay to enter. I was surprised, but it was a good thing as it kept out the beggars. We were able to shop virtually unmolested. We browsed all over before going back to purchase. Maybe it was an odd way to do it, but I went back to the shops where they had not been pushy to make my purchases. Eric did not do as well bartering there, but it was all good. The prices seemed reasonable.

After that excursion we went back to our hotel. We had paid 5.00 for them to watch our bags- they piled them behind a sofa. We walked down the alley to a restaurant. We ordered their specialty which they claimed was their gift to the world. It was good, but I’m not sure it was that good. It was chicken marinated in Tandori sauce and friend in P&&& batter., The mint chutney was pretty good. This meal was the first time we had experienced it, but after the meal they brought our water with lemon for you to wash your hands. Then they brought out fennel seeds and sugar. One puts a little of each in one’s hand and then eats it. It tastes exactly like black jelly beans. I will pass on it next time.

After dinner, we once again loaded everything in a taxi and went to the train station. It seemed a very long time to get there. Oh, while I am thinking about traffic. Motorcycles are very common here. They are much easier to maneuver. When traffic stops- which is not often – they are able to make their way through the stopped cars and to the front of the pack. Passing traffic stopped at a light looks just like a motorcycle race about to begin. The trains station was the first time I was not exceptionally comfortable with my surroundings. There were so many people. It was cold. People stared. We walked up and down several staircases with all of our luggage. I was glad I condensed, but Dean was stuck lugging one very heavy bag. There were people hawking wares for the train – locks, chains, books, blankets, etc. Everything was old and dirty. I just did not feel comfortable.

Thankfully, Eric had booked us first class. That meant we had a small room with four bunks. Also thankfully we had it to ourselves. I get motion sickness very easily. I have done really well this trip using the bands on my wrists. I have worn them on plain, bus, taxi, auto, elephant, horse cart, truck and they have worked great. Train was not so good We were going to be overnight, so I took an ambien and went to sleep. It really helped. I was so thankful we could lock the door. I was also very thankful that we could do first class. I would not have wanted to ride for 11 hours sitting in a chair in the cold. It would have been miserable.

We arrived in Eric’s city and were met by his deal friend Prem. He was grinning from ear to ear. We were so glad to finally meet him. Eric’s house was nice and we sorted through our things and emptied out a couple of suitcases with gifts for Eric’s friends and supplies for Eric. I left one of my shopping bags on the train, and my sweet boy went back to get it. I was only missing one thing. I think it should be easily replaced when we get out during the week.

We had lunch, Chinese food, with Eric’s roommate before heading over to our hotel. It looked nice from the outside, but it was so so cold inside. We had two wool blankets, but we were shivering. They told us they had no heater. We tried our best to stay warm, but we were miserable. We were under both blankets – I even kept on my furlined boots. We napped, but it was not comfortable. Finally, Eric came over and asked for a heater. They were not really wanting to do let us – they asked how many children. He said none but his mother and father were here. Apparently mothers and fathers hold a lot of influence here.