Ritual bath in Ganges

Ganges - the holiest river for all Hindu. Pilgrims come here to wash away their sins or to cremate their loved ones. This morning I assured myself (and ten generations of my ancestors!) the eternal salvation of my soul ;-)

p.s.: Besides being the holiest river, Ganges is also the most polluted river in the world full of rubbish, toxins and bodies. Luckily I was ok ;-)

Wagah border ceremony

Today we went to the Indian-Pakistani border (a transport on the mini bus can be found easily in Amritsar) to watch the Wagah border ceremony. Every evening a HILARIOUS border closing ceremony takes place there. A combination of theatre, Bollywood movies and Monthy Python's Ministry of Silly Walks :)

On each border side there's a huge amphitheatre where thousands of Indians and Pakistanis are shouting "Hindustan" or "Pakistan" (slightly more spectators on the Indian side though) watch this amazing (and official) spectacle of both countries' border guards walking, jumping, running and moving in a very very bizarre way. Fantastic show!!

Spectacular Taj Mahal!

Taj Mahal

Welcome to India!

I was wondering for quite some time which should be my next destination. I knew I had one month to travel, so I wanted to use this time to maximum. Different countries were going through my mind, but in the end I decided to go to a place which is total, where all your senses come alive, which attacks you from everywhere with colours, smells, crowds, and noises, which you can love or hate, but which will never leave you indifferent. 

INDIA.

I often travel alone, but I decided to invite my younger brother for this trip. It was his first trip outside Europe, but he managed it perfectly. Only later I realized how difficult travelling in India is, so he was of a huge help and support to me.

First moments in India are a good prediction of the entire trip. While ordering a pre-paid taxi from the airport (350 rupias) we were cheated by 1000 rupias (we were given 100 rupias of change, instead of 1000). Luckily I realize it, but back then, I still naively think that it was a mistake. In the next days and weeks I'll discover that 90% of all the people we deal with during our travel will try to cheat us on and take advantage on us. First days were not easy to handle it, but shortly, given my travelling experience, psychological knowledge, sixth sense, negotiating skills and strong personality, I manage to scan people's minds and their attempts to rip us off. I'm definitly not an easy opponent ;-)

We head to Paharganj - a backpacker area of New Delhi. Of course we did not book any hotel, but since we arrive in the morning, it was not difficult to find one. We stay in Cottage Yes Please - in a dodgy room with dirty sheets and no window, but hey - it was cheap :)

We spend the day on discovering the neighbourhood of Paharganj, and Connaught Place - a huge square full of shops nearby. Of course, still tired after the flight, as well as trustworthy and naive, we are being driven by a tuk-tuk driver to an "Information Centre" which turns out to be a travel agency, striving very hard to sell as a tour costing 800 euros... of course unsuccesfully ;-)

We decide to come back to Paharganj, we both make a henna (Wojtek with Ganesha) and we finish te day with a beer in Rodeo Bar :)

Hotel Prince Polonia :)