WELCOME TO DELHI !!!

Well, I arrived in Delhi at around 4am and was picked up by my hotel and taken on an hours drive before ending up at the hotel. Delhi, is loud, polluted, noisy, aggresive, muggy, dusty, ugly and so very charming. Love/Hate springs to mind. Everyone here coughs because the air is thick with dust and grime. There is an all day chorus of men and women clearing their chests and projectiling phlem in every direction! Every corner smells of urine or worse and the people here tend to stare at you as though they has seen you the night before starring in a porn film. A look of horror and amazement. Unlike SA where I was able to learn everyones name within two days, it has takem me a week to learn the name of the man who runs the hotel. I have ventured out to old and new Delhi and it has been challenging getting from a to b. Getting ripped off here is part of the course and I have just gone with the flow trying not to plan or worry when I get lost. I have met some really interesting people, though most befriended me for my business and money. I have started to tell people that I work here and that usually does the trick!!! Was meant to be going to Delhi's kids prison to do some work with them, playing trust games etc... Unfortunately it didn't work out but I was able to get introduced to the street kids that live by the railway tracks, which was grounding. There is going to be too much to say about this place and next week I will be up near the Himilayas and less likely to be at the computer, so I am going to write as much as I can here, as I a may be out of contact for a good month or so. The keyboard that I am tapping away on is covered in dust and so is everything else, just incredible. I am off to an Indian wedding tomorrow which I am looking forward to. I was introduced to a man called Dilip who is a playwrite, Guru, screen writer and casting director. He is a lovely fella and has shown me another side of Delhi. Have been meditating with his group and also singing with another group! Was asked to sing but foolishly got emarrassed and declined. Dilip is casting a film and has mentioned that there might be something for me, so I will keep you posted. Met a young lad called Alfred who is in India fro 3 months, travelling on his own. I don't think it is sitting well with him. He is young and this place needs a little patience and humour to survive. I hope he gets some peace down in Kerela. There are so many places to see here but I am getting drawn to the north to do my meditation and yoga. Who knows I may stay there some time, though I have now provisionally booked my time with an organization to work with the street kids down in Pondicherry, which is south. I hope I get there. The Metro system here is a scream. Rush hour has to be seen to be believed! The train stops and the crowds stampede ON ! Then the passengers who have been forced to the back get off, it is insane, though it is the closest I have been to flying. If you time it right, you can do a little jump and then fly through the air sndwiched between the commuters. The food so far has been good though I am still humming, Jonny cash's song, "Ring of fire" from time to time. My hotel is very clean and remarkably quiet for Delhi, mustn't get used to it !! I have found one restaraunt that is keeping my belly healthy for dinner, so am sticking with it. The other night at the restaurant I got talking to a very interesting South American woman, who I could see had lived a very interesting life. She had been under the knife I think, as her lips were full and she was here following her Guru, Maharaji, having followed him all over the world. She seemed very grounded and wasn't into preaching and it was just a delight to meet someone a little out there but very warm and fun. I was sad to say goodbye as she was leaving that evening for her plane. I met up with a woman called Verity, who is a friend of a friend and she has been great, introducing me to an Oasis in the centre of the city. She has just had a little boy and i can't help thinking that this air is just wrong to be entering a newborns lungs. Have been told that this time of year. the pollution is at it's worst. I spent the evening with ther and her two kids last night, my first introduction to a Westerners life in India. The house was huge and with a lovely garden, the grass covered in dust. Even the rich can't escape it! We had a great dinner, Indian and Italian, I was very happy, and we talked about her life here and settling in. She has been here 6 years now and seems to love it, having met her German husband here. She introduced me to a brit called Stephen who I spent an afternoon with visiting the Hare Krishner temple. Lots of singing and very colourful. The chap singing had a great voice and a good look too! MTV, watch out. We got the custumary stares. I am sure the people here don't really want us here. Mind you , what we put them through during the RAJ, I am not suprised. The other odd thing is that the westerners here, just ignore each other. It seems that we are all spoiling each others true Indian experience or perhaps we are all just embarrassed to be here, knowing that we do not fit! Eye contact is rarely made. Stephen and I headed towards the main market where we took a beer and chewed over life and the culture of this country. I have been reading up on the politics and different cultures, so am feeling a a little high bow at the moment. I visited the museum celebrating the life of Ghandi. Was very moved while standing at the spot where he was assasinated. A fantastic tribute to him and a must for anyone coming to Delhi. My script writing has taken a little holiday while I get used to this country. The Rik-shaw drivers are insane and you litterally risk life and limb riding them. There are no rules on the road, except keep going forward and DO NOT let anyone get infront of you and beep your horn for eternity!!! The horns do not stop, though I am now not so sensitive to them as I was. The funny thing is that during the day it is constant noise here but come 11pm quietness comes riding in breathing a breath of fresh air, mind you, I am in a side street, it's probably still mayhem on the main drags !! The dogs here look pitiful and full of diseases. Even me, the dog lover of dog lovers, has no desire to touch them. Desperate. I actually caught myself thinking twice about having physical contact with the street kids untill a dutch couple sat down with them and started to play hand games. Felt like an idiotand shameful, gave myself a talking to, and sat down and began to interact with these lovely kids, who have nothing. Well, I think this is enough for now. Will try to add more if and when I can. I am now making an effort to learn some Indian words but for now....goodbye. XX