delhi notes

I had gone to Delhi for some official work and to Jaipur from there last week.
while waiting for the flight to Delhi I realized that 'comb over' has really become popular and it does make a difference to the looks.

since the trip was sponsored by my company I had a chauffeur driven car to take me to the hotel. I generally asked the driver about car's model which I could not clearly see while getting in due to the lack of light outside the Airport, he replied 'Sir, apni hi company ki car hai, TATA ki.' I was like 'wow, TATAs make even a driver feel like part of the company.'

Once inside my room in the Hotel, the Butler asks me 'How will you be paying?'. I was like 'mere chehre pe phakkad likha hai kya?' Later he told me that the question was more of a information to make sure that I knew I was suppose to pay.

India Today published a cover story on Sonia Gandhi recently. One interesting comment by Prabhu Chawla '...retains the essential innocence of a foreigner, one reason why she continues to be moved by the sight of poverty and deprivation...' Last year I spent just three months in the US. But when I returned, for the first time I noticed how dirty the streets were in Jaipur. First time I seemed to feel the pity of the roadside vendors.. I think the effect stayed for a week or so and now of course I know that's how things are here but still interesting phrase 'innocence of a foreigner'.

Delhi was unusually warm for January, thankfully no doubt. Once my official work was done I straight away headed for Bikaner House to board the next available bus to Jaipur. Around India Gate it seems preparations for the Republic Day parade has already started...