The Delhi part

So what was I thinking? Quiet moments, computer blinking in obedient expectation as I formed elegant phrases about my impressions? Nada disso, as we say where I come from - or - not likely! I have traveled halfway around the world, barely slept, been hurled from place to place. I am on a high of excitement, this is so cool.
So, let's see. Rio to Paris - boring, tiny space (come on, Air France, be a a little more generous) overbooked and no tv in seat back. Then fairly swift connection to Delhi flight, this time with tv, where I watched 3 movies between naps and ate really excellent Indian food. Arrival was better than the US, if you know what I mean, and outside stood the ebullient Raj waiting with a big smile and full of energy - even at that late hour, now well after midnight. After a long wait outside in the muggy dark Indian night Rawat, the driver turned up in a spick and span white Toyota wagon - and I was taken to the amazing Imperial Hotel. Imagine very dedicated ballet students averaging 35kg body weight with black hair scraped back in tight little buns (or very well born Brazilian society teenage girls), add a floating red and black (yes, Flamengo!) sari, and you have the picture of the young women who greeted crumpled old me with exquisite manners now after 1am. The whole hotel is scented with something wonderful emanating from black candles set amongst the Colonial decoration and the stunning flowers. My room a dream with white marble floor and ditto bathroom. I sat in a warm bath while I talked to far-away Oswaldo on the sim-card that thoughtful Raj had provided. I went to sleep at 3 and was up at 8.30 getting ready for my Delhi tour. My fellow travelers, Jytte & Ole, who had traveled from Vancouver via Frankfurt slept even less having arrived at 3am to no waiting driver from their hotel.