January 18 Intro to India

It’s still hard to believe I am in India, it all seems surreal....and the time difference and sleep deprivation  hasn’t helped.

I arrived on January 15, without a hitch. After 3 flights and about 20 hours of air time we landed as promised at 1:15am. I had a window seat, and as we made the descent into Delhi I strained to see the view but the dark and fog made it impossible. Upon entering the airport the first thing I smelled was smoke and the inside air was hazy. No one seemed to be panicking and no alarms were sounding so I was left wondering. I caught up with an American woman on business who told me it was coal, this is the fuel used to heat everything in the winter, even the International Airport…so much for air quality control! I cleared customs easily and decided the first thing to do was exchange dollars for rupees (50r =$1). I needed water…and suddenly felt desperate to stock up, probably due to the final warning I got from the American woman, ”use only bottled water, even to rinse when you are brushing your teeth.” I conjured up an image of arriving at my final destination with no store in sight, for who knew how long, with only tap water to drink. This small task proved to be my initiation into the “extra patience” the guide book said was required in India…and I am sure I provided at least 30 minutes of entertainment for the three Indian men behind the money exchange counter. First I was given all $1000 rupee notes ($20 bills). I walked to the drink machine tried a bill and nothing. Back I went to see if they would give me smaller notes… next came the $500 ($10) rupees notes, back I walked, still nothing….back again I went telling them I still needed smaller notes so now was given $100 ($5)  rupee notes…..still nothing…finally I asked the security guard why the dispenser wasn’t working. He told me I could use nothing larger than a $20 rupee note ($2). Back I went to the money exchange counter, and was reluctantly given 5- $20 rupee notes. I am sure they were sorry to see their entertainment come to an end… they probably had bets as to how long it takes a “stupid” white woman buy bottled water at 2 in the morning.

After collecting my duffel bag and finally connecting with the somewhat English speaking driver, at 3:00am we arrived at the hostel. For this week I am at the hostel with the other volunteers for our orientation. We are a wonderfully eclectic, and like minded group of ten sharing a sparsely furnished and cold (welcome to India) apartment. Four of us are from Canada, I am the second oldest of the group.  Gurmay is 62 and a retired nurse from Vancouver who has volunteered extensively in Africa. Cleo is a university student taking a break from her studies in International development.  John is a forest tech from Ontario and just finished volunteering in Africa and is now going to work in northern India before going home. Paige is a nurse from Memphis. Shauna works in the insurance business is California. Danielle is a university student from Ireland. Manrique is a student from Costa Rica, and Brianne and Elise just arrived yesterday, from Australia. It has been great to have each other to go exploring with and together we have seen some incredible sights and neighbourhoods.

With Hindi classes, venturing out on our own and organized sightseeing, our days are passing quickly. Yesterday the program organized a tour for us to see the oldest mosque in India (Qutub Minar Complex). Amazing early afghan architecture built in 1193. One of the differences between here and Canada is the security guards check under the cars with a mirror on wheels for bombs. A reminder of the political stability we enjoy and take for granted in Canada.
We then went on to see the Lotus Bahia Temple built in 1986; and then toured Humayans Tomb, which is a world heritage site constructed in 1562AD for Mural Emperor Humayan. All amazing structures and overtly decadent in the face of the poverty that is so blatant.

It has been four days since my arrival to India and my experience so far has been amazing,

it is  exceeding my expectations....What I am seeing  is a country of contrasts, contradictions

and sensory overload, but it’s all good. I've taken over 300 photos, everything seems photo

worthy from slums set in front of a modern office complex to a traffic jam of vehicles, motorbikes,

cows, and rickshaws. There is a plethora of honking vehicles,  and a shortage of traffic lights.  It

seems the drivers think that if they honk loud and long enough, traffic will dissolve and a path will

be cleared. The cows are the only ones  who seem to have enough sense turn around and find a

different way.We’ve had a few close traffic encounters…and driving in Delhi, for the most part is a

white knuckle experience… as is crossing an intersection on foot.

The weather has fluctuated with the days pleasant from around 12-20C. but the nights are cold and

our apartment even colder. The coal besides causing pollution doesn’t seem to be heating our

apartment.  It may be -45 in Saskatoon, but I can assure you our homes are much warmer. We wear

layers and long underwear inside and I am glad I brought my down jacket and “buff”.

Our diet is pretty much vegetarian, rice, potato and curry vegetable dishes, but the food is tasty

and hot, and so far my constitution is strong:) !!

Well it is time for me to warm up in the shower and climb under my cozy covers. Tomorrow we are

off to explore "old Delhi", the Red Fort, Jama Mosque and Gandhi Sanadhi ghat..and action packed

day. Sunday I move to my homestay and next Monday I begin work with my volunteer placement. 

With warm thoughts of family and friends and the many blessings I enjoy in Canada and often take

for granted,

Namaaste Lynne :)