Ups and downs.

Delhi, India. Arriving from an overnight nonsleep flight, with no taxi driver that could get me to my couchsurfer host's house and a dirty, crazy-driving city with little english speakers gave me a particular first impression of India. So there I was, alone trying to figure out what to do. I ended up at a tourist office where they made me an itinerary to visit the places I wanted to go. At first I thought it was a good decision because I pictured myself having a rough time travelling by myself in this country. This way sounded relaxing and a confortable way of travelling. Thousand dollars for 12 days. Bit expensive. I paid. It included one day around Delhi with a personal driver.

So he took me to some places, but with all the horns in he streets, the crazy driving of my driver (and eveybody), and me thinking on the numbers of this tour. I was told I was going to be wih other tourists in the same car, but then the driver told me that I was probably going to be alone. So I went crazy because that isnt really my travel style. I contacted other couchsurfer, Sid, and he agreed to host me that. He is a really nice guy! He helped me a lot during my trip no just by hosting me.

I told him about my troubling mind and he really gave me peace of mind back. We run some numbers and if I did the trip on my own I was just going to expend not even 50% of the tour (at the end, now that I finish India, I spent only 25%). Thats right, India is really cheap. So we called and cancelled the trip, but the cancellation fee is 50% of the amount paid. We managed to get back almost 75%. I lost some money but at the end I gain also money and peace of mind. Plus I got to travelled at my own pace, even going to places I didnt knew about.

So, my first day in India ended unexpectedly good: swimming pool at night and dinner at a hindu restaurant with Sid and Joyti, his girlfriend. Amazing people and amazing food. We ate chicken marsala, with the traditional roti (hindu bread), and for drink sweet lassi! (best beverage ever, especially this one because in other places I later visited their lassies werent this good). It is basically liquid yoghurt, it can be sweet , sour or mixed with fruit (mango lassi, banana lassi, etc.). We ordered more stuff and deserts, but forgot their names. Everything was really tasty! Outside the restaurant we bought some pan, is like a sweet mint in a leaf.

Sid's family was very kind with me. Her mother cooked for me and prepared indian juices. They even washed my clohes and iron them! I felt really pampered. The next day we drove around Indian Gate and the presidents house and Sid proposed me going to Dharamsala because he was going that day with his girlfriend so I agreed. And we travelled in an overnight ordinary bus. Ordinary means the cheapest, fullest and uglyest bus. Quite an experience!! I have to admit I liked it, even though it was a 12 hour trip and barely had one sleeping hour.

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