I have been doing some consultancy work here, on and off since May this year, and as such have been ‘living’ here as distinct from being a tourist. I relish my two week home breaks in Hua Hin and getting back to sanity.
In 1991 I visited 4 times on a project here and stayed in 5 star accommodation each time, complete with a good limo and driver - I still managed to get Delhi Belly on each visit. Since 1991 we’ve all heard how the Indian economy has improved and life in general is better. I therefore expected improvements.
I have not seen this.
OK – this time I am not in 5 star accommodation, instead I am in a business hotel. This is the third one that I have tried and is at last acceptable in that it is clean and everything works – sort of – if you can forgive the power cuts and regular Cable TV blackouts. But at least it is clean and not bug infested. This at USD 90 / night by the way!
Increased levels of traffic have meant that the roads in Delhi are often clogged and when combined with the Indian driving skills, it all becomes a nightmare. Constant horn banging and total lack of lane discipline combined with sheer stupidity make for very frustrating car journeys within the city. Most cars are scratched and dented as a result of the many minor scrapes. One good thing I suppose is that the cars never achieve any speed to cause serious injury.
If you walk along any stretch of road you will still be accosted by beggars and you will witness men regularly peeing up against a wall. In fact, even in the quite salubrious areas of the city, this is common place. I work in an office on Ashoke Road, 5 minutes from Connaught Place, walking distance from the Shangri La and Imperial Hotels and many central Government Offices and the air during a lunchtime stroll often has the background aroma of urine and crap……………………
Don’t watch TV if you don’t like Cricket or Bangla movies!
Indians are simply obsessed with the game of Cricket.
10 sports channels and all showing this boring event – either 20/20, one day limited, or heaven forbid a test match. Their main ‘foremost English Language News Channel’ CNN/IBN has about 40 -50% cricket content in every bulletin.
I have also had the pleasure of visiting Bangalore and Mumbai - both of which are much better than Delhi.
Finally – hygiene. Better not talk about that.
So - if you are planning a trip to India (& it includes Delhi) don't forget to go 5 star and pack the lommotil
This is one assignment that I cannot wait to finish.
, that's one way of putting it. Must say that I thought Bombay was worse than Delhi though and when that $2000 car gets selling properly then it'll be just even worse, if that's possible. The emerging middle classes in India and China are going to have a big effect on many things, not least the price of petrol and diesel, won't be able to meet the demand, can barely do it now. The golden years of cheap affordable motoring is coming to an end as juice is going to get very expensive.
