Yetunde here-- Tanqueray retired to the delightfully high-pressured shower of our hotel, aptly named hotel star paradise, which is, more specifically, a paradise for the backpackers of Paharganj who are ready to RAGE, as the keys to our room come complete with a beer-bottle opener, and the proprietor of the hotel was literally rolling a joint as we signed in last night. Not kidding. Alas, we are busy busy people, and certainly without our secretary Buster to manage our affairs, we have no time to spare for such indulgences.
Indeed, this important business includes today's trip to Safdarjang Enclave, where my OFFICE is located!! (FYI www.pratham.org is the organization.) The auto rickshaw driver had an abysmal time trying to find the office, including all three of us getting out of the vehicle to physically turn it around (no reverse), but when we got there, it was small (~30 people?) and lovely and everyone seemed really nice.
Also included an attempt to register my employment visa at the American Embassy today (40+ added minutes of rickshaw travel). Too bad I forgot my passport (which has visa within) at the hotel. And even more too bad that I don't have to register at the American Embassy-- I have to register at the Indian Embassy. The things you learn when you make phone calls...
Curious things to note:
- No Americans. In the past week, we've met many travelers from France, Spain, and Korea (among other locations in W Europe) but only 2 Americans total.
- The backs of cars say 'Honk Please'. I will be purchasing earplugs ASAP.
- Clothing here is stunningly beautiful. Duh. Still fully enrolled in the 'Pack Light, Travel Happy' program, but return to Delhi (and life therein) will require the utmost self control to avoid purchasing a completely new wardrobe, replete with saris, salwar kameez (the tunic and loose pants with a scarf), and glorious jewelry. This will be marked in my fellowship budget as 'Cultural Assimilation Expenses.'
Tomorrow we head up to Chandigarh, a planned city designed by Le Corbusier, a major architect that VA is interested in-- should be very cool and a welcome change from Paharganj, the neighborhood we're staying in in Delhi, which is ENTIRELY under construction-- literally the entire 'main bazaar' street is exposed rebar and concrete and piles of brick fill half the street (possibly 65%). After that, up to Himachal Pradesh, the mountains of our destiny, where we will breathe deep breaths of cool, clean air and check out hundreds of tiny roadside buddhist monasteries.
Lots of love,
Cal (and Jones)
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