Hello from India! Yes, I’ve added another new country to my list this year (after USA and Mexico), and I’m writing to you from New Delhi. Many people had their warnings about visiting India, and honestly, it wasn’t a place I thought I’d be visiting anytime soon. Or ever, really. But then I thought, why not? I had to see it for myself. The Golden Triangle felt like the perfect introduction to India, with its three cities: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, each just over 200 km apart.
The best, and really the only way to travel India is with a personal driver. I was so relieved to have someone with me from the moment I arrived in Delhi. And Lalit and Azad were amazing throughout the whole trip.
One of the biggest draws for me to visit India was the vibrant colors I imagined. I pictured India as a place bursting with color, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Whether in New Delhi or Old Delhi, there was color everywhere, and it shows in the photos. Especially the way the girls were dressed. They looked absolutely amazing, don’t you think?
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New Delhi vs. Old Delhi
Upon arriving in Delhi and driving to the hotel with my driver, my initial thought was, “This isn’t so bad!” The traffic was light, and the roads were wide and open. This isn’t the chaos everyone warned me about. While it was clear that India was a poorer country, with worn roads, scattered rubbish, and even cows wandering the streets, my driver pointed out that we were in New Delhi, which is very different from Old Delhi. Really? I couldn’t wait to see for myself.
Cows are revered by Hindus in India as symbols of the earth, and so left in peace to do and walk wherever they want.
The most surprising thing about India, however, was how green it is. I hadn’t expected that at all. Both Delhi and the country as a whole turned out to be incredibly lush and vibrant. Maybe because Monsoon just finished?
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My morning in the old town
The next morning, as we entered Old Delhi, the scene outside my car changed dramatically. The buildings turned into crumbling ruins, rubbish piled up along the streets, the crowds grew denser and the roads muddier. That’s when I knew I had arrived in Old Delhi. This felt like the real India.
Azad was kind enough to arrange a private tuk-tuk for me, complete with an English-speaking guide, since cars aren’t allowed in the area I wanted to explore, the local markets. I was eager to see the shops overflowing with spices, stunning fabrics, beautiful dresses, and sparkling jewellery. My guide (whose name I forgot unfortunately) was great. He asked me what I wanted to see and accompanied me everywhere, making sure I wasn’t hassled by begging children or locals looking for money. Or asking for a photo!
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Welcome to India
I had only been in India for two days, and I was still at my first stop of the Golden Triangle, but there was already so much to take in. It’s truly a different world here, one that makes you appreciate the life I get to live. Yet, in both New Delhi and Old Delhi, people go about their daily routines. Selling vegetables on the streets, taking tuk-tuks to get around, and pulling their three-wheeled carts loaded with heavy bags, gas bottles or anything else that needs to be transported.
There is chaos on every corner. Kids running around, people crossing streets, and cars are constantly tooting their horns. Yet, amidst it all, the women still manage to look beautifully dressed. To me, they are a standout for sure. Delhi is a city full of wonder and amazement, but also reality.
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One thing I learned quickly was not to stand still for too long. The moment I stopped to take a photo, someone would approach me, asking to take a picture with me. And once I agreed to one, I’d suddenly find myself surrounded by a crowd, each person wanting their own photo or selfie. It felt surreal, especially that first afternoon. At first, I was a little scared, but by the second day, I fully embraced it. Especially when young girls asked while I was visiting the Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi.
In the end, I captured some amazing photos, with everyone around me smiling and full of joy. But I know this is just the first stop on my India journey, and there’s so much more to explore. I’m excited to see what the country has in store beyond Delhi. Next stop: Agra and the Taj Mahal! …read blog post here.
