Hello from India! Yes, I’ve added another new country to my list this year, after the USA and Mexico, and I’m writing to you from New Delhi. Many people warned me about visiting India, and honestly, it wasn’t somewhere I thought I would visit anytime soon. Or ever, really. However, I eventually thought, why not? I had to experience it for myself. One of the biggest draws for me was the vibrant colour I had always associated with India. I imagined a country bursting with colour, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I was especially curious about New Delhi vs Old Delhi, and although the two areas felt very different, colour was everywhere. The women, in particular, looked absolutely amazing in their beautiful outfits, don’t you think?
The Golden Triangle India route felt like the perfect introduction to the country. It connects three fascinating cities: Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), and Jaipur.
For my trip, travelling with a personal driver was the easiest and most comfortable option. If not the only option. I felt relieved to have someone with me from the moment I arrived in Delhi, and Lalit and Azad were amazing throughout the entire journey.
One thing I hadn’t expected was the amount of attention I received from the locals. At times, it became overwhelming, and I occasionally had to move quickly from the car to our destination. Everybody wanted to take a photo with me. Although people were friendly, having crowds gather around me sometimes felt quite intimidating.
Read my other blog posts about my Golden Triangle India journey here:
Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort
The drive to Jaipur via the Ranthambore Tiger Resort
Jaipur – The pink city – My Golden Triangle is complete
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New Delhi vs. Old Delhi
Upon arriving in Delhi, the first stop on my Golden Triangle India journey, I drove to the hotel with my driver. My initial thought was, “This isn’t so bad!” The traffic was light, while the roads were wide and open. Others, who have travelled the Golden Triangel and have been to India had warned me about Delhi’s chaos, but I couldn’t see it yet.
Nevertheless, I still noticed worn roads, scattered rubbish, and even cows wandering through the streets. My driver then explained that we were in New Delhi, which feels very different from Old Delhi. Really? I couldn’t wait to see the contrast for myself.
Many Hindus in India revere cows and view them as symbols of motherhood, nourishment, and the bounty of the earth. Therefore, it isn’t unusual to see them wandering freely through the streets.
One of the most surprising things about India, however, was how green it was. I hadn’t expected that at all. Delhi and many of the other places we visited were incredibly lush and vibrant. Perhaps the recent monsoon rains had something to do with it? And when it came to New Delhi vs Old Delhi, the contrast was striking.
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My morning in the old town
The next morning, the view outside my car changed dramatically as we entered Old Delhi. Wide roads and modern buildings gave way to older, weathered structures, piles of rubbish, denser crowds, and muddy streets. This felt much closer to the chaotic Delhi that everyone had warned me about.
Azad kindly arranged a private tuk-tuk and an English-speaking guide because our car couldn’t access the narrow streets around the local markets. I was eager to explore shops overflowing with spices, stunning fabrics, beautiful dresses, and sparkling jewellery.
My guide, whose name I unfortunately forgot, was excellent. He asked what I wanted to see and accompanied me everywhere. He also made sure that persistent requests for money or photos didn’t overwhelm me.
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Welcome to India – my journey so far
I had only been in India for two days and was still at the first stop on my Golden Triangle India journey, but there was already so much to take in. It felt like a completely different world, one that made me appreciate the life I am fortunate enough to live.
Yet, in both New Delhi and Old Delhi, people simply continued with their daily routines. They sold vegetables on the streets, travelled around by tuk-tuk, and pulled three-wheeled carts loaded with heavy bags, gas cylinders, and anything else that needed transporting.
There was chaos on every corner. Children ran around, people crossed the busy streets, and drivers constantly sounded their horns. Yet, amid it all, the women still managed to look beautifully dressed. They certainly stood out to me.
Delhi filled me with wonder and amazement, but it also made me see realities of everyday life in India.
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And so…
As mentioned at the beginning, one lesson I learned quickly was not to stand still for too long. Whenever I stopped to take a photo, someone would approach me and ask for a picture. Once I agreed to one, a crowd would suddenly form around me, with everyone waiting for their own photo or selfie.
The experience felt surreal, especially during that first afternoon. At first, I was a little scared, but by the second day, I had started to embrace it, particularly when groups of young girls approached me during my visit to the Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila.
In the end, I captured some amazing photos filled with happy faces and joyful smiles. However, Delhi was only the first stop on my Golden Triangle India journey, and I still had so much more to explore.
Next stop: Agra and the Taj Mahal! Read my blog post here: Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort – my Golden Triangel trip continues.
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