Namaste, India!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
5-6 April
New Delhi
INDIA
After being denied of our Pakistani visa, all three of us--Amira, Katra and I--decided to go to India. Our only problem was where to go in India? We actually had a lot of options: Mumbai, Goa, New Delhi, etc. Our priority was New Delhi because we'd be able to see Taj Mahal if we went there but due to flight status at the time, we decided to go to Mumbai and scrap Delhi for the time being.
But, but, but, one day prior to our departure date, Delhi flight opened. So we went. Unfortunately, Katra was left behind because she didn't hear her staff number being called when the boarding passes were issued. Tsk, tsk. Carelessness on her part, though.
We arrived early morning in India and took a cab to the 'hotel' we're supposed to stay in. It was just a 15-minute ride from the airport, thank God, because the cab didn't have AC. It was summer in India.
We arranged a city tour immediately after checking in at the hotel. The same operator would also take us to Agra, to see the magnificent Taj Mahal. The city tour was a bit boring because honestly, there's not much to see. Just imagine going around Metro Manila and being toured in Luneta to see Rizal's monument or pass by Bonifacio's monument in Balintawak. The city tour was just that, a city tour.
The following day, the Taj Mahal day, was of course, more exciting. But maybe that's just me. I really was excited to see the Taj. As I've said before we went to India, INDIA IS NOT INDIA WITHOUT THE TAJ. So I would not want to go to India if we won't be seeing the Taj. And I was not disappointed when I saw it. The place made me feel at peace, even when there were thousands of visitors around. I just liked what I felt.
Anyway, the moral of the trip was to never travel without cash. I was traveling with my friend Amira, who is an Indian national. When I was about to change my riyals to dollars in Doha, she told me not to do so as she had lots (and lots!) of Indian rupees. I agreed and told her that if that's the case, I'd just pay her in riyals. So I did not withdraw cash anymore. So I totally depended on her. It was only the day after when we realized we could not withdraw her lots (and lots!) of rupees because the ATMs in India during that day were under maintenance. Pakshet! Fortunately, the day after, we were able to have lots (and lots!) of rupees to spend. Hehe. Pero panic lang to the max.
***photos:
1) with the Korean tourists who thought I was one of their own
2) Amira with her kid (she doesn't like being photographed!)
New Delhi
INDIA
After being denied of our Pakistani visa, all three of us--Amira, Katra and I--decided to go to India. Our only problem was where to go in India? We actually had a lot of options: Mumbai, Goa, New Delhi, etc. Our priority was New Delhi because we'd be able to see Taj Mahal if we went there but due to flight status at the time, we decided to go to Mumbai and scrap Delhi for the time being.
But, but, but, one day prior to our departure date, Delhi flight opened. So we went. Unfortunately, Katra was left behind because she didn't hear her staff number being called when the boarding passes were issued. Tsk, tsk. Carelessness on her part, though.We arranged a city tour immediately after checking in at the hotel. The same operator would also take us to Agra, to see the magnificent Taj Mahal. The city tour was a bit boring because honestly, there's not much to see. Just imagine going around Metro Manila and being toured in Luneta to see Rizal's monument or pass by Bonifacio's monument in Balintawak. The city tour was just that, a city tour.
The following day, the Taj Mahal day, was of course, more exciting. But maybe that's just me. I really was excited to see the Taj. As I've said before we went to India, INDIA IS NOT INDIA WITHOUT THE TAJ. So I would not want to go to India if we won't be seeing the Taj. And I was not disappointed when I saw it. The place made me feel at peace, even when there were thousands of visitors around. I just liked what I felt.
Anyway, the moral of the trip was to never travel without cash. I was traveling with my friend Amira, who is an Indian national. When I was about to change my riyals to dollars in Doha, she told me not to do so as she had lots (and lots!) of Indian rupees. I agreed and told her that if that's the case, I'd just pay her in riyals. So I did not withdraw cash anymore. So I totally depended on her. It was only the day after when we realized we could not withdraw her lots (and lots!) of rupees because the ATMs in India during that day were under maintenance. Pakshet! Fortunately, the day after, we were able to have lots (and lots!) of rupees to spend. Hehe. Pero panic lang to the max.***photos:
1) with the Korean tourists who thought I was one of their own
2) Amira with her kid (she doesn't like being photographed!)
