India for a week

I was there about a year ago, same place - and this is shortly after returning from the Peace Corps. I thought to myself then, wow, this place is neat. After a year living in a nice condo and nice hotels, my judgment was much harsher.

Let me say, the food was still amazing. The chaos there beats anything I've seen. The space between me in my 5 star hotel and the slum is literally the smallest anywhere you can go I believe. You see these kids with bright beautiful smiles covered in grime and dirt knocking on your window for money and they go back to the hut they sleep in right beside the guarded entrance to the hotel. Trash, dirt, animals of every sort, and people...everywhere.

At one point we missed our exit on the freeway, so my driver, hired by my company, turns around and then we go the opposite direction on a 3 lane highway for about a mile. But, we went down on the shoulder...though there was another car coming the same way on that same shoulder, not to mention bikes, food stalls, and people. Probably the most uneasy I've felt in awhile...reminded me of passing cars around blind-side curves in Peru with honking being your fail-safe.

I had a great time though - I was there for work, it was a successful trip, and I got to see the Taj Mahal, attend my company's annual big blowout bash, and see the party-life in Delhi.
Much love,
Jake