I’m only bringing up the current unmentionable, unnamable scourge on mankind because I saw this picture on the internet.
The “before” shot was taken on a particularly nasty day in October of 2019. The “after” shot was taken on Earth Day last week. Not sure it’s worth dynamiting the economy of the entire world to see it but you have to admit, it’s pretty nice.
The first year I was in India, I lived for awhile in Delhi. I’m surprised it’s taken me 22 posts to remember that. Delhi is a Great, Big City. It has over twice the population of New York and Los Angeles combined. Hmm. Better factcheck that.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/
Yep. That is correct. Being about a thousand years older than LA and NYC combined, you’d think there’d be all kinds of catchy songs written about it. I can’t think of any. Can you? No? Alright then, how’s this?
“New Delhi! New Delhi! That toddlin’ town! That toddlin’ town!”
No wait. That’s too much like another song. How about this:
(BIG BUILD UP: BUM! BUM! BUM! BUM! – BUM! BUM! BUM! BUM!) “OLD! New Delhi where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plains! And the wavin’ wheat, it shore smells sweet…
(What?)
…when the wind comes right behind…”
WHAT? Why are you waving your arms like that? You’re throwing me off. Plagiarism? Okay genius, you think it’s so easy? Let’s hear you try it.
I’m waiting…m-hmm…m-humm…
THAT STINKS!
Forget the song. Here’s one of the first pictures I took heading in from the airport. Freeway median art. I asked the driver if the balls had any special significance. He said they don’t. I disagreed. I think they do. Given the city’s long history, the balls could be commemorating the fallen heroes who made Alexander the Great give up on his quest to conquer India. Or perhaps they represent the many shiny balls on bending poles one encounters throughout one’s life.
Yow! Look at my word count! Once again, you let me blab on too long. Now I have to rush.
Here’s the little hotel I stayed at. Bloomrooms on Link Road.
Bloomrooms are a quick, ten-minute walk to the Jangpura metro station. (While an Uber is almost always the cheapest and easiest way to get somewhere, you have to wait for them to arrive and if the traffic’s heavy, they might cancel on you.)
Here’s the metro. Spanking new and zippy.
The metro will take you about anywhere you want to go. A 1000 rupee smartpass ($15) lets you skip the long lines and buys you about 50 rides under 5 kilometers. (And everything’s under 5 kilometers from the Jangpura metro).
Or you can go door-to-door in one of the many handy taxis called “autos”. They charge whatever they think they can get. Especially from tourists. They may grumble but secretly they’re happy to get 100 rupees (75c).
Or this bicycle guy will take you for almost nothing (25c). But you feel kind of guilty all the way.
Rest and relax now. Next week, we’ll explore a bit.