Day 3 - Amazon Gets to Follow the Plan While I Stay in Bed

We were met at the airport by a guide and a driver.  It soon became evident why a good driver was essential.   In India:

• they drive on wrong side of the road (the left)
• lanes and even traffic direction (people frequently drive on the wrong side of the wrong side) are apparently just suggestions.
• most streets are narrow and contain a wide mix of vehicles (trucks, cars, busses, tuk tuks, motor bikes without rear view mirrors, pedal rickshaws, bicyles, pedestrians and bovines/dogs/goats etc).  Imagine world with no policing and limited driver training (except for trucks, busses, and cars).
•  the prefered method of collision avoidance is the use of a horn before before the brakes.  Bovines have neither because they have no need.  Honking at them to move out of the way is considered bad form. 

Amazon and I arrived at our hotel, thrilled to be in one piece and a healthy respect for our driver's skill and patience.  We were checked in early and our guide agreed to give us an hour to rest.  At the appointed hour, I was in bed, having decided to pass on the morning sojourn and deal with my new symptons of chills, shivers and general malaise.  Trooper that she is, Amazon elected to go on the tour without me.  That threat spurred to rise up soldier through on the rest of the day.

This was light traffic!

I think the guide was surprised to see me but supportive.

Once our driver got to the old city, we met our guide for the remainder of our stay in Delhi. We set off in the crazy traffic in two rickshaws.  One for Amazon and I (in the lead), and another for guide.  The poor guy pedalling for us probably only outweighed Amazon by 50 lb.  It wasn't long before Amazon reminded me (yet again) that I really should lose some weigh. 

It was harrowing but kind of funny.  If you think it's funny being in the safety of a modified bicycle with 2 back tires.  Essentially the rickshaw is the low man on the totem pole.  You are below the Bovines (untouchable) and pedestrians don't fear you.  It was thrilling and exciting to say the least!

The old town is really old and crowded.  The fact that people can't pass you, doesn't diminish the zeal to lean on the horn.  From here on Amazon will relate the events, as at our first stop, I ate a beautiful samosa, heard about the old accountant's house and began to feel very weak again.  Amazon continued on for the rest of the afternoon while I returned to the parking lot where our driver waited to return me to the hotel.  Good thing we had 2 rickshaws!

Amazon continued through the narrow streets of the Chandni Chowk (Market).  Each street specializes in certain wares such as embellishments for saris and all things for  Indian weddings.  Next stop was the spice market.  If you suffer from any sinus problems all will be cured with a few breaths of capiscum stored in massive sacks.  

Jet lagged, Amazon was happy to return to the hotel and have a snack in the lounge along with a glass of wine.  Normally Amazon would not complain about a top up but she was so sleepy, that every time she woke up she a freshly filled glass.

Needless to say, she was the first to sleep that night and I got very little.

 The Accountants House and the Scene of My Second Undoing

Spice Market