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.
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