Our 2nd Day in Dehli, India

Delhi is really big and has quite a hectic layout. Because most of the worlds retail clothing is made in either China or India, the clothing industry is huge here and in Delhi there are hundreds of different markets that you can shop at. At most of the markets you need to bargain to get good prices. For a fun day out, we booked a local tour guide to help us get around, get a feel for the different markets (actually get to the markets) and to bargain on our behalf so we could see how best to do it.

The 1st market close to the main Delhi Railway Station was really hectic to get to. It is a very congested area and there is also a lot of building going on. Delhi is hosting the Commonwealth Games in October so there is lots of upgrading going on. See pics of traffic and also of electricity theft and conditions.

Our guide, Tanya, is a fashion designer in Dehli and she was young, fun and vibey. We had a really good day out and got a couple of great bargains. I found one of the suppliers who supplies Lulu Belle with jewellery and bought some stuff from him. Bracelets that I saw there for R70 I bought for R5! She introduced us to Lassi - an Indian cooling drink. It is yogurt based and very yummy.

We also had our 1st Chuski! A Chuski is a ball of ice dipped in flavoured syrup. Some flavours available are Rose, Orange and Kala Khatta. Tanya insisted we try the Kala Khatta (truly authentic flavour of India). I have to say, it was pretty hectic -it is made with loads of lemon, salt, and masala spices among others. The greatest part of the Chuski though is how it is made. Our vendor was using a block of ice that he rubbed over a wood planer. As the planer shreds the ice, he compacts it into a ball with his fist and then pops a stick into it. Then he pours the syrup of your choice into a plastic cup and you dip you ice into your syrup. All this in 45 degree heat. Definately something to do again - in Orange Flavour!

One of the lowlights of the day was Tanya being pick pocketed by a young boy. He dug his hand into her bag and nicked her purse and phone but in his rush to get away, he dropped her phone and alerted other vendors. They chased and caught him and he was then well and truly beaten by the locals (including Tanya) who tells us that it is important to do this in an attempt to scare the youth from taking up crime. It was quite amazing to witness this 'local justice' unfold around us.

Finished off in a nice artsy, design area with a good meal and got home at aroung 8pm after a high energy, sensory-overloady kind of day!