The Beginner’s Guide to New Delhi
Vibrant colours. Rituals on rivers. Sacred cows. People. Poverty. And prosperity. Images of India have probably circulated in my mind for as long as I can remember. But it wasn’t until the ticket was booked and I was heading there alone for four months that I really started to hear stories about the place. Those who had never been to India, but had a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend who once had, relayed their wisdom. I heard everyone spoke English. I heard the food was unbearably chilli and that the streets were dotted with human excrement. I heard that cows standing on airstrips delayed the take off and landing of airplanes. I heard not to trust taxi drivers, and not to walk on the streets alone. I heard there would be little respect for human life and that people disappeared off the streets every day. I heard not to look men in the eyes and not to eat any fruit or vegetables without peeling all the skin off first.
By Alana Hunt
Categories Delhi, India
