Hospital

Did I mention I started feeling achy and feverish with cold and coughs on the second day on my trip up to North India and still feeling the symptoms 13 days later?

I gave in and went to see a doctor at Manipal Hospital. My friend M met me there. At the registration counter, I had to fill out a form with my basic contact information and no need to show official documents for verification. The registration and doc’s fee cost Rs300 (US$7.50, gotta love India). The lady at the counter gave me a slip and directed us to the General Physician area. On our way to the first floor the power went off (an overly common event in Bangalore) and at that moment I understood why hospital scenes are so popular in horror movies. If M weren’t here with me, I would have freaked out.

Thought I should maximize my visit here, I also paid to see a Dermatologist (did I also mention I’ve been breaking out like I’m going through second puberty?). The dermatologist also cost Rs300. We waited close to an hour to see each doctor and turned out I have a throat infection and the pollution in Bangalore is causing the acnes.

"You're going through India's immune system orientation I see. You went from Antiseptic land (US) to Septic land", says Leon Keith Jackson.

North India - Day 1: Delhi

I slept for an hour last night because I had to wake up at 4am to get to the Bangalore aiport by 5:30am for my flight to Delhi. I was looking forward to sleep on my window seat throughout the 2.5 hours flight except the Indian man sitting next to me would not shut up. He said I reminded him of his little sister who died 30 years ago and he would like for us to have a special relationship, one that's like a brother-sister and that he's married with 2 kids and would never cheat on his wife but would like me to help him get a sales or marketing job in Malaysia or China. I told him that this conversation is way too creepy and he says I'm reserved because I don't talk much. WTF.

I'm going to nap now because Nan and Joe are arriving in an hour.

3 hours later
Nan and Joe finally arrived. We walked to Main Bazaar to have lunch at the terrace of Metropolis Tourist Home. On our way there, Joe got attacked by lice and Nan accidentally ran into a street urinal. Welcome to India guys.


Monkeys at Paharganj


School Bus

We took an auto-rickshaw to explore Delhi and the name of our driver of the day is Maru Chan.


India Gate.


Lotus Temple. We met an Indian girl who is volunteering at this temple who happens to be Malaysian. She gave her email to Joe and that made his day.


Shopping at Dalli Haat. This is a government-run bazaar so they wouldn’t budge when we tried to haggle. They sat us on a coach and started selling everything in this store.


Needless to say, I tried on almost everything, walked out a little broke and Joe thought I’m a hard customer to please. (Photo courtesy of Nan)

Stay: Ajunta Hotel in the Paharganj area. A bit run down with a constant hint of cow dung smell but it is Old Delhi, everywhere you go smells a bit cow dung-ish.
Eat: Metropolis Tourist Home

More Pictures of Delhi

Sweet Home

Found it! This awesome luxury suite (or I like to call it studio service apartment) is in Shilton Residence 4 short blocks (or 0.5 km) from the Hibiscus, my last apartment. The only way I could afford this place is because of Amit's networking and negotiating skills.

Thanks Amit! And thanks Khartik for helping me move, twice.


Studio bedroom/suite


Bathroom

The hot water is not too hot or cold, the bed is firm and bouncy and no sound of auto rickshaws. So happie!!