India One: Delhi

We arrive in foggy Delhi and after much pushing and shoving to work our way through Immigration we are driven to our hotel in the select diplomatic enclosure of New Delhi. Big beautiful mansions with immaculate gardens and great roundabouts. We are slightly taken aback at first, having heard all the scary stories of poverty in India and people begging or dying on the sidewalks. All we see here is Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens architecture. The grand monumental India Gate which, curiously, has the word "India" chiseled over its top. As if it had to say where it was standing.Vijay Chowk, Victory Square and the Presidents Palace. All remind us of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Same architects and similar feel.
We stay at the Taj Palace and for the first night we shower, have dinner and collapse. Next morning we get going on the requisite City Tour.

First stop is The Red Fort, the first of many forts on our itinerary in India. The Red Fort dates from 1639 and remains a powerful symbol of Indian nationhood. By now we are seeing more of what we expected in India. We are seized upon by a multitude of souvernir sellers all claiming to give us a 'best price' and who don't easily take a brush-off. We three couples are then booked on to pedal-rickshas for a tour of the Delhi Market. Down a frenetically busy street where cars and tuk-tusk move at break-neck speed next to pedestrians and all kinds of people pulling heavy loads, strapped like animals Our driver is a reed-thin Indian who pedals us through the streets earning his living, literally, "by the sweat of his brow" The market covers many city blocks of small streets and alleys with hundreds of small business-fronts reminding us of the old Durban Indian market, but vastly bigger. Designated areas specialize in different categories of merchandise from gold and silver jewelry to saris and silks, and food from fruit and vegetables to meat and poultry. Followed by electronics and sports-gear. Crockery, pottery paper products and every handcraft. Thousands of people crowding everywhere. Each business has its name clearly identified, with its special deals shouted out. Inside the shops people sit as individuals or in small groups, with legs folded underneath them chatting animatedly. Customers are encouraged and 'sold to' constantly. All the traffic makes noise. Vehicles jam their way in everywhere hooting furiously. We can't believe what we are experiencing. After an hour the tour is concluded. We are speechless.
We are taken to the station to embark on the "Palace on Wheels" for our seven-day expedition through Rajasthan.