Connaught Place
We booked a driver to take us to Connaught Place, a location
that is apparently a place to go . . .near the Government & Corporation
Buildings . . . We make good time, passing
India Gate and some other monuments on the way.
We observed some poor man break down in his Tuk Tuk at a heavy intersection and everyone just ignored him. People walking past who could easily help but just walk right on by. Amazing. Sad also. We are across the other side of the intersection so we cannot do much, but really how hard is it for someone over here to lend a hand. So many of them seem to just sit around doing nothing anyway. There are people everywhere just sitting. Or just sitting and doing anything the human body is capable of . . .
We observed some poor man break down in his Tuk Tuk at a heavy intersection and everyone just ignored him. People walking past who could easily help but just walk right on by. Amazing. Sad also. We are across the other side of the intersection so we cannot do much, but really how hard is it for someone over here to lend a hand. So many of them seem to just sit around doing nothing anyway. There are people everywhere just sitting. Or just sitting and doing anything the human body is capable of . . .
Beggars approach us at the lights and we see lady boys,
homeless and sad people along the way.
The masses of people are just amazing.
There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to any of it. It would be nice to have a driver with good
enough English to explain the world to us.
We arrive at Connaught Place and get dropped off in the
inner circle. This is supposed to be the
HUB of New Delhi. Best shopping,
government emporiums, high class goods etc.
We are expecting paved roads, clean shops and a relaxing days
shopping. NOT!
Every one who approaches us is a shyster!
We smile politely and tell them “No” and then more forcibly tell them NO and do all we can verbally with sternness. We even had to use our hands to indicate that they need to move away. Everything but engaging them in a physical manner . . . We even tried the “No English” phrase . . .
When you think you are free, more individuals approach with ‘good advice’ such as “Be careful, Sir or Madam, there are a lot of shysters here, where are you going, I will help you, trust me, I am not a tout, I work for the press”, etc.
All of them try to direct us down alleys, to various tourism shops . . . as they say. It’s mad.
Every one who approaches us is a shyster!
We smile politely and tell them “No” and then more forcibly tell them NO and do all we can verbally with sternness. We even had to use our hands to indicate that they need to move away. Everything but engaging them in a physical manner . . . We even tried the “No English” phrase . . .
When you think you are free, more individuals approach with ‘good advice’ such as “Be careful, Sir or Madam, there are a lot of shysters here, where are you going, I will help you, trust me, I am not a tout, I work for the press”, etc.
All of them try to direct us down alleys, to various tourism shops . . . as they say. It’s mad.
We had a very orchestrated attempt to take us down a
specific street off the main strip. On every corner of a block, different
people would approach us under different guises suggesting we head to this
‘area’ for Tourism Information . . . they were following us and all using their
mobile phones all the time. And this all started as we exited a Government
Accredited Tourist place . ..
Anyway, we went with our gut feel as you do an knew it was
not good and we really exercised our survival instincts and caught various
means of transport to shake them and get back to our hotel. Won’t go into
detail but let’s say it was a game of cat and mouse . . . .
And half way back? Blockades and protests due to some recent
heinous crimes . . .avoiding roadblocks etc... . .what a
day!!!
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Lunch on the run...if you're game . .
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India Gate just before the full on protest with water cannons and tear gas
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No no.. Im sure I look like a local
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