New Delhi is a crazy amalgamation of poverty and excess, wandering animals, beautiful architecture, and home to millions of people. The savory food is unparalleled in quality (but make sure you buy bottled water). Below are just a few of the tips that can improve your trip to this chaotic but fascinating city.
1) Be in my photo! You will feel like a Hollywood celebrity hassled by
paparazzi all day when being asked repeatedly to be in photos by Indians.
Often, allowing them to snap a photo clearly makes their day. However, be aware
that they occasionally swarm around white visitors and snap photos without even
asking. It’s hard to get used to the gawking, ogling and staring. It is
especially apparent for blondes; Indians view the golden hair as an
irresistible beacon. The men especially want photos with foreign women at all
times and in various poses, shaking hands a particular favorite.
2)
Enough honking already! Indian traffic puts to shame that of
the most congested cities in the United States. Essentially, every driver lays
on their horns at all times so there is a never-ending beep invading your ear
canals. There is an eclectic combination of cows, bikes (both standard and
motor), pedestrians, tuk tuks, rickshaws and cars following an unwritten set of
traffic rules. There are generally no speed limits and hardly any traffic
lights. Initially, I thought the insanity on the roads meant awful drivers, but
the lack of accidents among such chaos made me realize that they are actually
incredibly skilled. Indian drivers would laugh in the face of those complaining
about Los Angeles traffic. The takeaway here is not to attempt driving
yourself. Cab and bus fares are extremely reasonable and Indian drivers
knowledgeable.
3)
Akshardham Temple- deciding which of the many iconic
sites to see in addition to the Taj Mahal around New Delhi, especially during a
short period of time, can be overwhelming to say the least.
The fact that Akshardham temple was
built only 13 years ago made me a bit unsure if it was worth a visit, as it did
not lie beneath the shroud of history that surrounds other sites. However, just
one Google image convinced me to make an afternoon trip. The temple is truly a modern marvel. It was built by about
10,000 architects and artists in five years and I don't even want to know how
much it cost. The architecture is easily some of the most beautiful my eyes
have beheld- detailed animals adorning every wall, golden statues inside the
main temple, paintings... everything was immaculate. One
thing to note is that cameras and phones are banned on
the temple grounds. Trying to sneak in these devices is essentially impossible
due to intense security checks, so it's best not to try.
4)
No monkey photos! If a monkey jumps on your car, don't
take it's picture. Its handler, someone who has taken it from the wild and
trained it for this purpose is right behind and ready to harass you for money.
And by harass I mean actually open the window and reach inside while yelling
"money, money!" It is truly best to avoid this rather frightening
situation.
5) The importance of socks- It surprised me the amount of times removal of shoes was necessary when visiting temples, mosques, churches and other religious sites. In order to avoid obtaining a foot fungus or other unfortunate ailment, it is a good idea to wear socks during all of your sightseeing.
Who should go? I do not recommend New Delhi for travelers who want to relax in a calm and scenic location. However, it is the perfect destination for those on a budget who are adventurous and don't mind roughing it a bit!
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