Back from INDIA

Back from India, nearly 2 months after having spent 1 week in Delhi and Agra, I am finally uploading pictures and updating my blog...

I would have procrastinated longer but since I am going to Thailand on Saturday... I need to get things in order.

Ok, so Delhi is a big, crowded, polluted mess. Really. Its chaotic, expensive, full of cheaters of all kind and sexual harrassment is very present.

I went to Delhi by land with an expat friend from Nepal. We walked accross the border and then took a taxi to Lucknow, the closest major town (about 2 M inhabitiants). We paid 30$ for a 5 hours ride... Upon reaching Lucknow, we tried to board the night train to Delhi, but the station was such a mess that we couldnt figure out where to go and what to do so we had to sleep in Lucknow. The people at the train station were horrible; They kept sending us back and forth to different offices, saying we needed to make a reservation, saying that we didnt, that it was full, that it wasnt... etc...
So we found a hotel and the next day, we bought a train ticket to Delhi, first class, from a travel agency: more expensive but so much less trouble!!

Everyone kept asking us for "backshish" tips/compensation for the slightest thing done, even if we paid fair price for this service, they kept asking for more. Just booking a hotel room or taking a taxi, and they ask for backsheesh! For what?!

The train ride from Lucknow to Delhi takes 7 hours but the 1st class was really comfortable. It cost about 45$ but was completely worth it. They fed us a lot and I had a great book to read (thanks to my BF for the thoughful gift).

After arriving in Delhi, me and my friend split as we had separate plans.

To be continued...