First Observations

The air smells like burning. Like Nicaragua. I don’t mind it at all, in fact it’s a bit comforting and reminds me of my Nica trips. 

There is so much pollution. It seems worst in the mornings and is a haze that hangs in the sky. Sometimes you can’t see more than maybe ¼ of a mile ahead. 

The driving and traffic is absolutely crazy. Everyone honks, all the time. Beeping basically means hey, I'm in my vehicle and I'm coming towards you. There are cars, trucks, pushcarts, auto rickshaws and pedal rickshaws, bikers, motorbikes, busses, and pedestrians. There is a well-functioning metro system. Some people say it’s the best thing Delhi has to offer. It’s actually very simple to use, air conditioned, clean, etc., and there are two cars for only women in the front of the train.

There are many beggars, and a lot of them are children. Some sell small things. One night some of us were in a car and at one point we stopped at one intersection where some people were begging. First a little girl came up to the window, and Bhanvna Ji shooed her away through the window. Next a mother with an infant. Then a man with no arms wearing a tank top. And lastly a boy selling Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Elle magazines. I can’t put my feelings of the situation into words. 

 There are squirrels. They have chipmunk bodies with stripes down their back, and they're small like chippies. But they have squirrel tails. Hopefully I'll get a photo of one.

No one uses toilet paper. There are spray nozzles next to the toilet and you are meant to wash each time. We're still not sure how exactly you're supposed to use them. Bhavna Ji told us it is in the morning and at night before taking a shower. But going during the day? No idea how you dry off or whatever...they think we're crazy for using toilet paper!