Did that really happen?

It’s Monday here in Delhi and though we have been here since Sunday (arriving at the hotel at 3 am), it seems like days since we’ve arrived.  And sitting here right now in a large lecture classroom, I’m transported back to the world I knew on Friday, and I’m not reminded that I’m thousands of miles away from home.

So it’s just been a day. But I can’t comprehend that right now.  I’ve always been aware of the greater world, but never really experienced it. Yesterday I did.

I’m always so critical of those who can’t really grasp that we have so much in our country. It makes me sick when people I grew up with feel they did not have anything special, nor recognize that they had it so easy compared to the world.  They need to come here and get a new perspective.

Taking a shower here, in a modern hotel, you can’t help but feel that there are millions of people around you right now that can imagine that comfort.

Yesterday we took a tour through Old Delhi.  Where things have been the way they are for thousands of years.  We were pulled through the area by a thin man who had a mastery of the bike that pulled us through. Literally an inch of space would separate us from a scooter, or motorcycle, or a tuck tuck three wheeled cab all moving in different directions.  The only rule of the road is that: There are no Rules.

That being said, I didn’t see any accidents or altercations, just a cacophony of horns honking in unison, and people yelling at each other about their own right of way.

The smell of spice is everywhere… just like Arakis in DUNE 😉 And often that smell would be overtaken by another not so pleasant odor.

People are everywhere, walking, riding, sitting, selling, and it seems it never stops.  As I read before we left, we were stared at a lot. And I felt everything from pure curiosity, to the feeling of “Look at that large rich American.” But everyone has been great and I also felt like someone visiting Chicago and being scared of getting on the Red Line.  One should be cautious and aware, but not afraid to do it.

Our Rickshaw driver really just said a few things to us.  First… after pulling us uphill he flexed his little arm and said “Strong!” And when we were stopped, I asked him his name and we introduced ourselves, he also proudly pointed to himself and said “Muslim!”

I could go on for awhile, but overall, I woke up this morning feeling… Did that really happen? It all seems like a dream, and this was just day one.