So we haven't been in India a week yet and already it is an emotional roller coaster. One minute it is the most amazing place I have ever been with the nicest people and the next I feel like everyone is just trying to fuck us over. We only spent two and a half days in Delhi but they were quite busy. First day was lots of sight seeing and at every sight it was like we were the biggest celebrities ever. It would take us forever to get anywhere because everyone was asking to take pictures with us. Entertaining at first and then supper annoying by the end of the day when we were tired and hot and ready to go home. I went from super friendly to Lindsey Lohan with my water bottle in front of my face to avoid all the cameras.
Second day in Delhi was even more intense. We got in a tuk tuk intending to go to a park to read and relax but our driver, a Sikh, said that he wanted us to love his country and wanted to take us to his temple. He told us this was something that he wanted to do and we could pay him whatever we wanted. This old man was so sincere and wonderful that we couldn't say no. At the temple we were the only white people and again attracted many looks. He gave us the grand tour of the temple, leading us to the front where people were making offerings and men were singing prayers. We were washed in water from the holy spring and then we were taken through a massive crowd of people into an huge empty auditorium. We were told to stand at the far end of the hall and all the doors were opened and 1000 people streamed in, sat in rows and were fed a huge lunch. We ate with them and then were led back in the kitchen to see them prepare the food and help make the nan (harder than it looks). At this temple they serve free breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day for anyone. At the end he presented us with silk from the temple as a gift as well as two books on the Sikh religion. The whole experience was incredibly intense. When he took us back to our hotel we gave him 1000 rupees (like $20) and he says that he expected double that! We were so tired, overwhelmed and shocked that after standing in silence for a few minutes looking confused we just gave it to him.
There often seems to be hidden agendas, expectations and costs so far. Its the first country we have been in were tipping is expected and people are quite rude if you don't tip or don't tip enough. There is definitely a lot to get used to but so far it has been pretty wonderful. My absolute favorite thing is all the women in their beautiful saris and I can't stop staring at them!
Second day in Delhi was even more intense. We got in a tuk tuk intending to go to a park to read and relax but our driver, a Sikh, said that he wanted us to love his country and wanted to take us to his temple. He told us this was something that he wanted to do and we could pay him whatever we wanted. This old man was so sincere and wonderful that we couldn't say no. At the temple we were the only white people and again attracted many looks. He gave us the grand tour of the temple, leading us to the front where people were making offerings and men were singing prayers. We were washed in water from the holy spring and then we were taken through a massive crowd of people into an huge empty auditorium. We were told to stand at the far end of the hall and all the doors were opened and 1000 people streamed in, sat in rows and were fed a huge lunch. We ate with them and then were led back in the kitchen to see them prepare the food and help make the nan (harder than it looks). At this temple they serve free breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day for anyone. At the end he presented us with silk from the temple as a gift as well as two books on the Sikh religion. The whole experience was incredibly intense. When he took us back to our hotel we gave him 1000 rupees (like $20) and he says that he expected double that! We were so tired, overwhelmed and shocked that after standing in silence for a few minutes looking confused we just gave it to him.
There often seems to be hidden agendas, expectations and costs so far. Its the first country we have been in were tipping is expected and people are quite rude if you don't tip or don't tip enough. There is definitely a lot to get used to but so far it has been pretty wonderful. My absolute favorite thing is all the women in their beautiful saris and I can't stop staring at them!
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