Experiencing Delhi.

With only one day in Delhi before we were set to leave for Agra to see the Taj Mahal, our aim was to see as much as we could without killing ourselves from the jet lag. After the hotel breakfast we hired a taxi driver for the day, which was cheaper than taking multiple auto rickshaws which couldn't fit four of us anyway (Nicholas decided not to join us for the day) and headed out to Delhi's famous Red Fort. I'm glad we saw it as it's an impressive structure but with intense security. I falsely assumed that it was due to the Commonwealth Games, but since then every other historic site we entered had similar security—metal detectors, scanners, and a pat down (behind a curtain for ladies, gents have to do it out in the open).

From there we headed to Khan Market to meet our instructor Wendy Quarry at 4 pm. We were early so found a lovely cafe upstairs above a shop for a little lunch and the best juice I've ever had. Something I noticed immediately is a staff person exists for every job; for example while shopping one person's role was to refold the clothes after shopping, another person took the tags off when paying, and another person put it into a bag. Additionally there is another person to hold your bags at the front door while you shop, another person to open the door, and yet another to check your receipt as you leave the door. In any one restaurant there are more waiters than any Western restaurant would ever dare employ, but that doesn't mean you'll get prompt or accurate service. In one cafe, we asked for our bill, and the manager came back asking us to wait 5 minutes due to a problem with the computer system. We were already late so asked if we could have it quickly. Of course they agreed. After a few more minutes Melissa had a peek and saw probably 15 staff trying to actually assemble the computer system out of the box. A perfect example from Storti's book on how Indians don't like to say no and need to save face.