The first thing which gets me-is the population explosion and the dirt. (dirt & dust everywhere).
Soon get used to it and start visiting relatives and favourite eating places.
The relatives is the usual-give them gifts & money to the kids.
Favourite eating places-new places have come up and the food is always yummy. Too much of it made me sick-stayed in bed for three days, having Daliya for meals!!.
Everything seems to cheap, the Taxis, food, clothes (I earn Australian dollars).
The servants/maids/driver are a novelty/luxury I had forgotten about-soon learn to yell for water/tea etc and leave my cup wherever!!.
If only I could earn in dollars and live in India.
I took an auto rickshaw (three wheeler) from south Delhi.
Passed Lajpat Nagar (good place to buy ladies garments etc), then Defence Colony. Soon reached Purana Qila, and Delhi Gate (just outside Darya Ganj. Then Lal Qila, Juma Masjid and Kashmiri Gate.
You are about to bring the wrath of our resident forum Indians for even thinking about comparing India to Pakistan. Ask for forgiveness now, for their is no saving yourself from that wrath.
The place was teeming with people, its like walking in the past(100 years). Took a cycle rickshaw (only they can move within those streets-it's impossible in car, too narrow streets) and after zig zagging reached the steps of Juma Masjid.
Stalls & beggers-young & old all around. Most of the women wore full burqhas, the place was filthy with rubbish all around. Anyway once inside it was BIG and clean!!
Decided to climb one of the minarets, a fee of Rs 20 was demanded and paid-no reciept given or asked for. The climb was narrow, circular and finally I was on the top. Surprisingly there were about 10 Europeans sqashed up there, enjoying the sights of old Delhi.
I looked all around-As a child I used to live closeby in Daryaganj-in Sir Syed Ahmed's house(probably evacuee property after partition!!) I could'nt see the house but the Masjids, Gurdwaras & Jain Temples was all around me. The Red Fort was also on one side. Chandni Chawk on the other side.
Decided to eat some food there in a nearby Muslim Dhabha/Hotel-a bit too greasy for my liking.. Most of the buildings were painted in Green, and though I did'nt see any Pakistani flags-somehow I almost expected to see one.