We have arrived safely in India and what a journey it was to get here!

We boarded our Air Canada flight at 6:15pm on February 27 and arrived the next day in London for an eight hour layover. The plane was packed full, without a seat to spare which made sleeping next to impossible. The food was decent, for an airplane, and the wine was flowing! We enjoyed our private tv’s and movie selection on what turned out to be a mostly sleepless night.

Once at Heathrow, we grabbed the express train into London and visited Hamley’s a six floor toy store in the Oxford Circus. We followed Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus, ate British fare at a traditional pub and even rode on a local double decker bus. London weather was somewhat dreary (as usual), but it is a city with so much action and energy you become immersed in the excitement. Unfortunately, we were so exhausted by the time change and lack of sleep that we decided to head back to the airport for a quick nap before flight two.

Jet Airways took us direct to Delhi in style. After we sweet talked the ticket agent, she gave us seats with extra leg room and we prepared for another long night. Dinner was Indian curry that tasted so good and began with a moist towellette! Thankfully, we got 5 hours or so of sleep before arriving in Delhi looking and feeling like we have been on the road for two days. We were greeted by our driver Nanu, at the arrivals gate and he took us direct to our hotel (after we were hassled for tips by men who helped with our bags).

The drive was packed with plenty of action. Children begging and trying to sell us things at the stop lights, a bare bum on the side of the road as someone pulls up their pants, honking by all of the local traffic. The streets are packed with cars, rickshaws and motorcycles, some passengers not wearing helmets. Nanu is unfazed and points out local places of interest along the way.

Our hotel is basic and the front desk staff very friendly, although they keep staring at us. We napped for six hours and woke up thinking it was morning already. Since we were up and ready to go, we decided to find a bank machine and some dinner. The Delhi streets remind me of the Richmond Night Market, full of useless items being sold everywhere. “A belt, watch, banjo, socks, shoes are within your fingertips. Excuse me sir, ma’am, would you like, are you interested, allow me.” Everyone is very friendly full of curious and sometimes creepy stares. You can’t pay anyone too much attention or they will try and sell you something! There are a few beggars, but mostly locals trying to sell their wares to anyone. After three banks, I managed to pull out some rupees and we chose a corner restaurant for some vegetarian urry. It was amazing, really delicious and cost about $5 for two. We are looking forward to seeing the city tomorrow.

I'm off to bed for a long uninterrupted sleep.