Long time since i wrote something here and today i have a substantial amount to write! Well, its gotta do with my recent trip to Delhi, for an "innovation" competition. First time in Delhi, it was a different experience. Just thought that the visit was worth to be mentioned so penning the memories down here.
As the Spicejet took off on a bright Monday morning from Bangalore i had many thoughts about Delhi. I knew about the couple of movies made on the old city of Delhi but the very picture that was there in my mind was the majestic "Rajpath", wide roads, ministerial cars, grand buildings........But as i landed at IGI, it was different :(. I could just see some marvelous buildings while the flight was landing which i presumed was Gurgaon, apparently a well planned city. But the view outside IGI was quite different. Our very own Devanahalli looked posh! As the taxi drove through the roads, it was just another city with the same problem of traffic congestion, lack of road sense and filth around. Being a capital of the nation does not really matter!
After reaching the destined place which was in an institutional area, i was surprised to see a whole area around the IIT dedicated to only educational institutions, from IIFT to Kathakali International Society to Sangeeth Academy to Business Schools.....you name it, it was found! So also many hostels around for students. That was impressive. And it is campus life all round the clock! There are the roadside "kopchas" that take care of the lunch and dinner. Tasty parathas served with chutney and a smile is enough to satisfy one's hunger. Apart, there is a veg manchurian,thats actually saucy sambar and fried rice thats blackened to increase the carbon content! Well i had the privilege of tasting only these two "exotic" stuffs. I later planned to stick to the good old parathas.
And i did have a chance to see old Delhi, the Mehruli area, where the Qutub Minar stands tall. You can see the rickshaw fellows waiting for capped visitors with glee in their eyes on seeing one. Then a whole lit of "must visit" places pop up! Of course i did ignore the list blissfully :) And it was pretty much crowded to be a residential area! Weather was chilling in the mornings and nights and the afternoons were warm-- thats typically Delhian, i was told. And being from a busy city, i found it great to see a city wake up at 10 or so. Hmm..will it ever happen here?
One daunting feature in Delhi, the local CNG run public transport! If you have seen the Delhi Metro and assume that the other public transport is on par, be ready to take a shock. Its really pathetic! You can hear the engine screech half a kilometer away signalling you to move aside if you are on the road or the horn can actually shiver you to death! I promise i am not exacturating. The crowd happily hangs out of the doors and makes merry. I too travelled in one such buses and was confused to find who the bus conductor was, to collect the ticket. Yeah, they do not wear uniforms.......American culture huh? I dont know! But given all this, the ticket prices are 73.29% lesser than Bangalore's! That was stunning!
But all these given, it was still a great trip. Unwinding for three days in a new and friendly environment was something great! Thank you Delhi :)
PS: This is in no way to hurt people with special sentiments for Delhi. Just my thoughts. Any co-incidence is purely non-intentional :)
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