A Big Day in Delhi

It seems quit a few important things are happening in New Delhi today. In relation to the CWG, the Queens Baton arrived at the Commonwealth Committee HQ next door, unfortunately we didn't get to see the torch arrive but the entourage that comes with it is similar to a rock bands motorcade, lots of open top buses, PR men and women all wearing shades and flashy cars tattooed with the CWG logos.

Despite the high profile of the Batons arrival in New Delhi after touring the Commonwealth and India in the past few months, anyone who reads the news will know that today, an even bigger national date had finally arrived after years of animosity between the Muslim and Hindu communities. The verdict of the Ayodhya Investigation, one of the longest running disputes in Indian history, in which over 2000 people have been killed. The basic story of it is that Hindus tore down a 16th century Mosque there in 1992 claiming the land it was built on (Babri Masjid) was the birthplace of their God "Rama" and fighting between them since then has been some of the worst in Indias history.

We were told to be wary when going into town, the press office had informed us that, despite secular tensions being better than they were 10 years ago, there is still a significant chance that violence could ensue and possibly even rioting when the verdict gets passed by the Supreme Court. As well as this, due to the intensity of the Ayodhya Investigation, a large number of CWG police and military had been relocated to Ayodhya by the government, leaving the City here with a smaller number of security personnel, nowhere near enough to control a full scale riot should one break out.

Taking into account the sheer scale of the trial going on today, something ill admit had no idea about until yesterday morning, there has been absolutely no sign of potential upset in town. Everybody is just getting on with things, almost as if it isn't happening, either the communities are dealing with it fantastically or the media is up to its old scaremongering tricks again (we were told to be indoors at 3:30 when the verdict was past)

In other news, I've finally had a phone call from my supervisor who I'll be closely working with in the Velodrome, a typically laid back Australian called Chris Gettaa. It's been quite frustrating for us at the moment, as training seems to be non-existent since the head of volunteers got sacked upon the governments intervention and with the back room staff still clueless as to whats ready and what isn't. A few of the lads I'm with had to go back and get re-issued new passes and uniforms as an Indian Medium shirt is more like a childs XS and someone was assigned to the shooting venue, an event we were excluded from as it's practically in Sri Lanka. All in all it isn't ideal, were going on our own merits as opposed to the skills were supposed to be learning but it isn't phasing us, we wouldn't be here in the first place if we weren't deemed good enough to so the job.

So I begin my Commonwealth volunteering on the 3rd with my first shift, It will be basically meeting the team and exploring the venue before the Cycling kicks off on the 5th. Looking forward to learning the ropes and getting stuck in! Theres only so many card games you can play before the boredom of free time drives you round the bend. (I've also been told that the volunteer application process for the London 2012 Olympics has begun, something I'm extremely keen to look into if all goes well here, fingers crossed)

Accreditation Day

Just 5 days to go and since the government has stepped in all of a sudden things seem to be coming together in New Delhi. The homeless and beggars have been moved on and there has been a large increase of Police and Military personnel, giving the City Center a much needed sense of security and control. On the one hand, It's refreshing to be able to walk down the street and through the markets without being stopped every two minutes by someone asking for money or trying to sell you games or trinkets, but then again, that in itself was what appealed to me in the first place about Delhi, so you could say the states intervention has left my cultural experience in a bitter-sweet position. As the games get closer more and more westerners are arriving, but mainly, and most surprisingly is the influx of Americans to the Indian capital. It's most likely coincidence, but I never expected to see as many as I have, although I like to think they're hear to cheer on Team England when the games begin.

Today was when things became official for us volunteers, our accreditation day. Passes, uniforms and a final idea of which sports we would be reporting on were all revealed in what I think was the longest time I've spent queuing since Bank Holiday Monday at Alton Towers. During the time it took to collect everything, I got chatting to a fellow volunteer reporter whilst waiting for my uniform, an Indian lad called Rajiv, who was quite upbeat about the games, despite the negative press here and abroad. He told me he was optimistic that come October 14th on the closing ceremony, India and Delhi will have proven all of it's critics wrong and that Glasgow 2014 will have a job on its hands to top it. It's nice to see a bit of optimistic patriotism in a time when so many are pointing fingers and playing the blame game.

The uniforms themselves are...interesting. Almost like a cross between 1990's American rap artist and Hugh Hefner lounge lizard attire. But It definitely gives you a boosted sense of importance when walking around the Connaught place and the locals love it. You know your life isn't half bad when the KFC staff are giving you and your mates a round of applause just for entering the room in your work clothes.

Better late than never...

It's been just over a week since arriving in Delhi, with so much going on since landing I've barely had time to sit down let alone blog....

So, where do I start? We arrived at the YMCA hostel on Wednesday day, settled in and had an afternoon walking around the nearby city center, Connaught Place. It seems that despite India being awarded the CWG 7 years ago they have left it to the very last minute to get things done. The whole of New Delhi has workers frantically throwing up buildings ready for the 3rd of October, working around the clock to make sure everything is ready for the arrival of the athletes and delegates who will watch to see the games become a fantastic success or a global failure. The City itself looks very under-prepared but the locals are optimistic that despite the last minute rush they will host a brilliant tournament.

The culture was something I have never seen before, on the same street you can have plush bars and restaurants with fantastic Indian cuisine, but just down the road could be beggars sleeping in the gutter, sifting through rubbish bins for food. It's almost like there aren't sections of society like in the UK, but just slums and affluent areas merged together. Despite this, Indians are generally very friendly and very eager to speak to westerners, especially the English due to our shared heritage. The further off the beaten track you go the more you will stand out. So much so It isn't unusual for families to want pictures with you or for others to record you on a video camera phone, as we found out on a visit to Old Delhi.

We did 3 days in Agra and Jaipur just this week. Both of which were amazing. Despite the horrendously humid conditions in Agra, It was well worth it to see the Taj Mahal, a truly magnificant building. We didn't stay in Agra but instead had 2 days in Jaipur to see the Rhajistan palace and the Pink city. Riding an elephant up to the fort is something I will never forget. We also experienced our first Indian nightclub in Jaipur, wasn't exactly Broad Street in Birmingham but the atmosphere was exciting all the same.

With the good however comes the bad, India is very frustrating, It's a very laid back country so buying things like a top up for your phone or even a drink can take a while compared to a faster service at home. Not so bad if your patient but when you need to be places you don't really want to have to ask four or five times for the same things. As well as this upon our return to the hostel a number of people had possessions stolen from rooms by cleaning staff whilst we were away. The outcome of which I shall share later on.

So far the CWG have had a bit of flack for being under prepared and a shambles and looking around it is all very last minute, with many high profile athletes pulling out citing security issues. It is disappointing considering the issue would have perhaps not been the case in Canada but even still, with this I am confident that now the government has stepped in, Delhi can host a good Commonwealth Games.

Final Preperations

Since I won't have internet during my short 3 day stint in Sheffield, I thought I may as well churn out one more post on British soil. Everything is packed and ready to go as it seems, however I have a bit of an issue...

Basically I'm in a dilemma, apart from the briefing on Monday afternoon and the inevitable headache that is packing, I'm struggling to think of things to do in between to occupy myself. My Blackberry can only entertain me so much and without company, the internet or a television the very near future is looking very dull. I could repeat possibly my lowest moment in student life when on one rainy Saturday last year all I did, for about 12 waking hours, was drink tea, have dinner and go to bed....and that isn't even an exaggeration. Something I'd prefer to avoid.

This dilemma of mine also doesn't bode well for the yawning 6/7 hour gap we have to kill at Heathrow airport on Tuesday afternoon, or the following 8 hour flight, in which I pray I don't have breakfast 3 times in the space of 5 hours again because as much as I'm a fan of breakfast, I was sick of seeing the same miniture box of cornflakes on my lap. An upgrade to first or business class wouldn't go amiss, but I can only dream on.

So If I haven't died of boredom in Sheffield, Heathrow or somewhere over the European continent, my next post should come straight from the streets of New Delhi itself. Should be interesting. So as the Indians say, until then, Salam!

New Delhi 2010 vs New York 2008

What was supposed to be a night of preparing to head back to Sheffield, ultimately making sure I wasn't going to need a last minute panic-induced adrenaline rush, took one of those expected turns which found me delving into the world of travel articles and reviews (Thankfully resisting temptation to lose myself in the world of Youtube).

I have told myself time and again to avoid things like these, but curiosity, in this case, killed the cat and I HAD to find out what British travellers thought of New Delhi. The only conclusion I came to were two words....Marmite Factor.

It seems the lovers champion Indias enchanting culture, rich history and unique social norms, whereas the haters highlight poor security, lack of organisation and low hygiene standards. If I'm honest, I'm a realist. I can accept the points made by both sides... however my personality tends to dwell more of the half empty section of the glass, and I don't like Marmite.

I tell myself not to go anywhere with preconceptions, simply because the good will disappoint you and the bad simply reinforce your reasons for why you didn't think you'd like it in the first place. It happened on a College trip to New York in 2008, I went thinking It would be a visual feast and celebrity bonanza, like everything I'd seen on television and more. It wasn't. It was more like an over promoted version of Blackpool but without the attractions. I was especially disappointed with Broadway, not all glamour and razzmatazz as I initially thought, but just a street with cheesy karaoke diners where the waiters are all am-dram actors waiting for their big break. Despite this however, I loved it! I wouldn't live there, but would definitely visit again.

So I will give New Delhi It's chance to prove my inherently pessimistic mind wrong. Much like I did with New York. Yes, It will have its downsides, and yes,It will be more of a cultural challenge with the language barriers, non-western lifestyle and the fact i'm there for a month and not 4 days, but it's a challenge I welcome, I just hope I have the endurance for it.

The Final Countdown

8 days to go before we fly out to New Delhi.

I didn't realised the amount of vaccinations we needed, which for a borderline needle phobe like me, came as excellent news! Hepatitis A, B and Typhoid. Along with an optional Rabies Injection. Oh and Malaria tablets which I was heartbroken didn't come in strawberry flavour, just vile nasty tasting tablet flavour. 9 weeks of those to look forward to.

I've also been struggling with what to take with me clothes-wise. I haven't been to the Southern Hemisphere and packing is mind-boggling. Do I take winter or summer clothes? A waterproof coat or sunblock? Sandals or Wellington Boots? Seems all those with advice aren't much clearer, including the travel office.

So basically....

2010. The Commonwealth Games. New Delhi.

Was I keen to go initially? To be honest, I wasn't. I left it until the last day of applying before going for an interview. I passed, but was largely apathetic and being on the reserves list suited me down to the ground. I guess I didn't think It would be worth it at the time. Reports in the news talked about how the stadiums were struggling to be completed by the deadlines, that teams were considering pulling out due to the political instability and terror threats and the fact we, as volunteers, were shrouded in a mist of ambiguity as to our roles during the games. This took the shine off what I thought could have been a brilliant chance to gain some real journalism brownie points.

But then I realised, hang on, Its the Commonwealth Games! and Sheffield Hallam is the ONLY university going, money comes and goes but experiences and oppourtunities like this (excuse the cliche) come once in a lifetime! Who else as an undergraduate student can say that on a CV? After a few weeks as costs were announced, people began to drop out and, luckily, I was called up as a replacement. I was elated and the countdown to the games could finally begin.