Arrival at Delhi

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Leaving Africa from Nairobi, Kenya, the first encounter with  India shall be Mumbai. There was a short connection on arrival at Bombay airoport and we rush out of the plane to find the Air India office. When we ask whether we should pass by immigration first, the officer tells us loudly ‘JOIN THE CROWD!’ I look ahead and I suddenly see myself in front of hundreds of noisy people. I then understand we have no chance of getting on the scheduled flight. We end up missing our flight to Delhi and get another one 4 hours later. Our driver Tinkoo is at the airport to welcome us. He shall drive us to all the locations in Rajasthan we intend to visit. During Jérémie’s last stay in Delhi, he completely fell in love with the national car: the Ambassador.

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With its typical 1960s style, it’s as if we’re back in time. We shall thus drive in style! No real surprises so far. Tinkoo is in his late 40s, discreet, ready to help and to answer our questions. Jérémie had it all arranged before our departure and made sure there is no misunderstanding in what we planed for our trip. No push to go a friend’s hotel or to make lengthy tours to souvenir shops (for whole of those drivers usually receive commission fees to bring customers. More later on tips for renting a car with driver). On that first day we want to take it easy before hitting the road. We go to the Red Fort where Rita succeeds in getting an Indian fare ticket (5 Rps as compared to 100 Rps for a foreigner fee). A bit tired, we don’t last long. Later, we go for dinner at Tinkoo’s house. It strikes me how people can manage to live happily with so little. The walls of their 2 rooms-house are decorated with pictures of Hindu Gods; the fridge is in the bedroom as there seems to be no other place to put it. His daughter and son come to greet us and suddenly invade my chair with the family photo albums, explaining each time who’s who and where, some photos are yellowish but all are well kept and presented. The wife is in the kitchen, preparing food. I go to help and get to learn how she prepares good chapatti. The plates are on the table but the wife sits aside: she’s fasting today and only drinks water. The paneer - a fermented cheese dish - is wonderful. We thank Tankoo and his family - and get back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Tips:

Hotel: Broadway: good location next to Connaught Place, staff are not so smiley but service is good. The room is well kept and has AC and hot water. The price is 1500Rps for a single room including tax and a good breakfast. A double room is 2300+taxes.

The restaurant downstairs Chor Bizarre has a nice interior and seems always full.(an key sign when it comes to eat in India)

Airport to city by taxi: 40 to 45 minutes

Shopping: the Tibetan market seems to have things from all over India.

We'll spend more time in Delhi at the end of our trip, so more tips to come soon.