First Day in Delhi

October 1, 2008, New Delhi -- So far, Delhi is overwhelming me, although I’ve been operating in a semi-somnambulant mode, so for that reason, I am cutting myself and the city some slack. We arrived at 6am at the Delhi airport and jumped into a cab, making our way to our new home, in the central-west part of the city near India Gate. That afternoon, we visited Kahn market for the necessities like internet access and cash—rupee, rupee bills, ya’ll. As we walked through the slim cobblestone streets, I wondered to myself, “how hard would it be to pave these walk ways?” The buildings and paths are ramshackle and uneven, creating a broken-down and slightly disorganized impression, as if the market had just been bombed. Which, in fact, three were including GK1, Gaffar Market, another on Barakhanba Road and Central Park in Connought Place. However, I’m learning here that exteriors are completely misleading. Inside, the shops and cafes are sophisticated, clean and modern. I am wondering if that will apply to much of India… behind the doors and gates, underneath the shabbiness of being a third world country, India is modern and very beautiful.