Indian Trip, part III: Plane to Ghazal
This was only my third long haul flight ever - I realised not long before we flew out that I had managed to visit both Africa and Asia in 2013; not bad for someone who previously hadn't been outside Europe! - and I am therefore still quite excited by the small things - you know, clouds from above, back of the seat entertainment systems, etc. This is just as well, as it is a looong way to India.
Unfortunately our seats were 3 + 1 across the aisle, and I drew the short straw, but it didn't particularly matter, especially when it turned out that we could play games against each other! I also watched a film in Hindi, Ek mein aur ekk tu, which wasn't bad, though not nearly as good as English Vinglish (I heart that film, I really do).
We arrived in Delhi at nearly 3am, local time, which in retrospect was something of a mistake (although to be fair, we didn't have a lot of options without flying on Christmas day itself). Attempting to get money out was the first issue, as despite telling Lloyds in advance the exact dates of my trip, my card was immediately blocked (and in fact Lloyds then proceeded to phone me repeatedly throughout the week, until finally I got fed up and set my phone to receive calls and texts only from allowed numbers).
We also managed to miss the taxi driver on our way out of the terminal, and phoned Shim in a panic - not what you want at 3am shortly before the hordes descend! - but we got there eventually, woke Jessie, who had been waiting for us to arrive, and piled in.
The drive to the hotel was ... interesting. The Indian style of driving is wildly different to the UK: a lot more flashing headlights and honking; less 'don't-spill-granny's-tea' and more hell for leather. It felt rather like being on the Knight Bus as the driver squeezed through any gap possible, but we made it safely to the hotel (in fact, we didn't see a single accident the whole time we were there, but attempting to drive there myself would definitely have precipitated a nervous breakdown).
We eventually made it to our rooms and to bed by 5.45am, and at 6am, the noises started. Really tremendous amounts of noise: bowling ball noises, clattering, people shouting, the occasional cymbal-like echoing of something metal and resonant being dropped... it later transpired we were below the kitchen, and to compound our bad luck, the first morning saw the family next door checking out - with their small child(ren) - lots of noise!
Anwar & I missed breakfast in favour of getting enough sleep to remain sane, and opened the door somewhat confusedly at 11ish to be given complimentary breakfast and a schedule of events. First up was lunch: our first experience of what Richie dubbed IST (Indian Suggested Time), as it was delayed, and also of the careful selection of food required for delicate British mouths... (I am a wimp, I know, I know. Iona has told me in the past that I am 'a crime against food'; I like to eat baked potato with nothing but butter; what do you expect?!)
The afternoon was Iona's sangeet; there was dancing, which I think I mostly managed to avoid participating in, and music, and bells (लटकन?) which I wore for the entirety of the rest of my stay; there is something wonderful about jingling lightly as you move. In the evening, a bus took us to Noida for the ghazal and dinner, and I tried not to panic at the instructions on the schedule which told us to wear 'smart casual: cocktail dresses, sari, glam it up!' given that I had only packed a couple of quite casual summer dresses and my single sari (which I was planning to wear for the wedding itself)...
The ghazal was outside: it was beautifully decorated and lit, if a little chilly. We spent the evening huddling at patio heaters while an abundance of food and drink were circulated, and Colleen & I were shockingly gleeful when we finally found an alternative to the soft drinks and whiskey - vodka!
Unfortunately our seats were 3 + 1 across the aisle, and I drew the short straw, but it didn't particularly matter, especially when it turned out that we could play games against each other! I also watched a film in Hindi, Ek mein aur ekk tu, which wasn't bad, though not nearly as good as English Vinglish (I heart that film, I really do).
We arrived in Delhi at nearly 3am, local time, which in retrospect was something of a mistake (although to be fair, we didn't have a lot of options without flying on Christmas day itself). Attempting to get money out was the first issue, as despite telling Lloyds in advance the exact dates of my trip, my card was immediately blocked (and in fact Lloyds then proceeded to phone me repeatedly throughout the week, until finally I got fed up and set my phone to receive calls and texts only from allowed numbers).
We also managed to miss the taxi driver on our way out of the terminal, and phoned Shim in a panic - not what you want at 3am shortly before the hordes descend! - but we got there eventually, woke Jessie, who had been waiting for us to arrive, and piled in.
The drive to the hotel was ... interesting. The Indian style of driving is wildly different to the UK: a lot more flashing headlights and honking; less 'don't-spill-granny's-tea' and more hell for leather. It felt rather like being on the Knight Bus as the driver squeezed through any gap possible, but we made it safely to the hotel (in fact, we didn't see a single accident the whole time we were there, but attempting to drive there myself would definitely have precipitated a nervous breakdown).
We eventually made it to our rooms and to bed by 5.45am, and at 6am, the noises started. Really tremendous amounts of noise: bowling ball noises, clattering, people shouting, the occasional cymbal-like echoing of something metal and resonant being dropped... it later transpired we were below the kitchen, and to compound our bad luck, the first morning saw the family next door checking out - with their small child(ren) - lots of noise!
Anwar & I missed breakfast in favour of getting enough sleep to remain sane, and opened the door somewhat confusedly at 11ish to be given complimentary breakfast and a schedule of events. First up was lunch: our first experience of what Richie dubbed IST (Indian Suggested Time), as it was delayed, and also of the careful selection of food required for delicate British mouths... (I am a wimp, I know, I know. Iona has told me in the past that I am 'a crime against food'; I like to eat baked potato with nothing but butter; what do you expect?!)
The afternoon was Iona's sangeet; there was dancing, which I think I mostly managed to avoid participating in, and music, and bells (लटकन?) which I wore for the entirety of the rest of my stay; there is something wonderful about jingling lightly as you move. In the evening, a bus took us to Noida for the ghazal and dinner, and I tried not to panic at the instructions on the schedule which told us to wear 'smart casual: cocktail dresses, sari, glam it up!' given that I had only packed a couple of quite casual summer dresses and my single sari (which I was planning to wear for the wedding itself)...
The ghazal was outside: it was beautifully decorated and lit, if a little chilly. We spent the evening huddling at patio heaters while an abundance of food and drink were circulated, and Colleen & I were shockingly gleeful when we finally found an alternative to the soft drinks and whiskey - vodka!