Delhi! Delhi! Delhi! (by Josh)

Travelled for 17 hours yesterday from Istanbul to Delhi via Abu Dhabi, and as a side note Etihad Airways ( the UAE's national airline is AMAZING! It was basically a spa treatment in the air! And both flights were with them so it was two great meals with total doting, big spacious chairs with huge personal TV's and probably 100 movie titles to choose from. Was more comfortable than being home and made the two 3 hour flights whiz by:)
Anyway, arrived into Delhi at
3:30 am had our guesthouse shuttle arrive ( eventually, he was about 45 min late) but made out way to our guesthouse which is absolutely superb. Murad and Tannie are charming to the core. We have hit it off so well we are going out dancing with them to the club they met at 20 year ago. And, to make things even more interesting, his sister lives in Saskatoon! He has ridden on a Combine( many Saskies haven't even ridden on Combines!)
Delhi is everything I imagined, loud,colorful, energized, and just a complete assault on the senses. I love it! It's totally authentic, nothing changes for you because you are a foreigner in the country,and I love that. ( as you read, though i grew to love Istanbul, getting over the touristy aspect took a bit)
Crossing the street in Delhi is like a near death experience and every car is like a roller coaster ride!
We slept a little late today as we were awake til 5 am then had lunch with Tannie and Murad. We then, decided to walk down to Hauz Khaz village( the area we are in) and do some shopping and just experience Delhi. Wow! The shopping! (you weren't kidding Uncle Larry and Aunty Barb!)
I love antiques and some of the shops here were amazing as was the Indian
clothing and jewelry shops which Niki particularly was glued to:) Shops were woven into a maze of tiny crumbling streets littered with power grid cables almost touching your head as you follow arrows up a winding staircase that is so narrow that the walls brush your arms.
And then you enter this beautiful hidden shop (or cafe and often quite large) and always decorated so beautifully and tastefully and with the added bonus of friendly Indian hospitality.
A day of awe, in a nutshell, streets of complete chaos, but people of warmth and calm.
And the best part, it's only day one. :)
P.S. sorry, we were too engulfed in shopping and not getting killed by a vehicle to take many photos or a video but they will come:)
Peace:)