Happy Diwali (New Delhi)

...here is the English version

The trip had an unlucky start after missing the flight London-Delhi on Friday 16th October. This meant losing a considerable amount of money; however, I told myself that this could only bring good things in the rest of the trip. I think I was not wrong, because in Delhi everything has gone fine from the day I arrived Sunday 18th October at 9.45am. After 8 hours flight, my friend Rajesh picked me up in the international airport of Delhi and headed to his house straight away, where his mother and grandma where awaiting my arrival. At all times I have felt like being at home, because all family welcomed me with open arms and treat me like a king; like any other member of the family. Since I arrived I have been doing an effort to adapt to the Hindu customs and way of thinking, due to interesting differences in many aspects.; as a example, to salute older people you have to bend forward while touching their feet and say `Namaste’ or `Ram Ram’. They normally touch the top of your head and bless you. I have had the opportunity to participate and enjoy various rituals, part of `Diwali’ festival, with different members of the family. It is a festival of light and color, with all houses showing colored lights on the façade of houses and buildings. It’s a time for union of family and friends, by thanking all the Gods for this life and wish for prosperity in the future.


It has a been a personal experience to have been able to enjoy these rituals with the family. I am discovering a very interesting Hindu culture based on values like no-violence, love and compassion; however, in reality it is a society full of contrasts with many religions under the same roof respecting each other. In Diwali it is possible to see these values very much alive among all people of Delhi.

One of the main barriers have been communication with the mother and grandparents because they do not speak any English and my Hindi is almost zero. We use gestures or spontaneous translations from the other family members. One of the funniest things was when the grandmother that I was not married at the age of 30. She took it so seriously that proposed to arrange a marriage with an Indian girl and that she will also build an extra level in the house to live with my new wife. I thought she was joking, but my friend told me that she was totally serious and was already looking for a potential candidate. They explained to me that here marriages are created in heaven by Gods and for all life, and leave the responsibility in the grandparents and parents to choose and arrange the marriage. The arranged marriages are normally unions between families in the same `cast’. The woman will leave her parents house to go and live with her husband’s family and help the already existing women in the house. Women are the real managers at home! (They can also have a job outside the homework). This system is still very much alive even thought it’s very conservative. These are only a few small examples of the peculiarities in Hindu’s culture that I had the chance to experience. The society seems to head towards Western culture, but keeping many of their traditions in parallel. I can see two Indias, the conservative one and the new one with middle class of students and young professionals recently married.

Delhi is amazing me a lot as a city. It’s the biggest city I have ever visited, with 17 million of inhabitants The traffic is crazy and hectic, with cars of all colors and models that move without an established order. Here they do not respect the laws of traffic. Thy have created their own code of understanding when driving that they can only interpret themselves, based in continuous breaking, access to impossible spaces and constant use of horn. As I have notices, if there is no police nearby, everything is possible! The best public transport is metro, but unfortunately it only covers areas in the North and West of the city mainly. While enjoying the constant traffic at all times of the day, I have been able to do some sightseeing. I would like to recommend the following tourist attractions: Lal Quila (or Red Fort), India Gate, Jama Masjid mosque (the biggest in India), Ghandi Smriti, and templs Akshardham and Bangla Sahib. The attractions are interesting, but I am most enjoying is walking along the streets and meet random people. Normally I go to the centre without a plan and build the day as I go along meeting different people. For example, today I met a guy who offered me the services of one of his friends to see the city in moto taxi for 50 rupees (0.5p), with the only condition to visit various shops of souvenirs on the way. The deal is to spend at least 10 minutes in the shop and he will get commission even thought I do not buy anything. I have spent 4 hours like this visiting some attractions and shops…it’s been a good experience! People are very friendly, especially if you are a foreigner. There are young guys in the centre that show you around some hidden places with the only interest to practice their English. Delhi looks like a city in hurry to continue living and growing. It’s constantly changing, especially now that they are building new installations for the Commonwealth Games in 2010.