First Day Impressions

I've heard people talking about getting a cultural slap on the face. Now I've experienced it first hand. Nothing could have prepared me for that.

Airport and Delhi

Delhi airport was very uncomplicated actually. All the formalities were over very quickly and before I noticed I had gotten a ride to the train station in a taxi... I have absolutely no idea how much more I paid than I should have, but it was all ok from my point of view.

The train station is where my problems started. My train was cancelled because of heavy rain up north and all the other trains were completely booked. I went to a tourism office and they offered me a taxi instead. The price was of course something else than the train, but I accepted the offer anyway.

Home in Vrindavan - Vrinda Kunja Ashram

I arrived in Vrindavan about an hour ago and then searched for my first home away from home for almost an hour. The taxi driver left me out "close " to the place. It's clear to me now that he had no idea. I asked directions five times and took two rickshaws before I finally got there.

Now I'm sitting in my bed and getting to know this place. There are some other volunteers here as well. I got briefly introduced to some of them, but I have yet to meet my roommate.

I'm going to have a shower next. Walking with my 17 kilo backpack in +32 degrees makes you sweat.

I was too stunned with everything to take many pictures. I also didn't feel comfortable taking pictures of people. I already was looked upon strangely. (And I also was a little afraid to take my camera out of my pocket at some times. I'll try to post some photos still so remember to check them out behind the link on the right.