Delhi aka: Dehli

Lived here on and off for the last four years. Came back from US in December to be with my husband here. I never quite got used to Delhi. There are good things, such as the historical monuments, and the lovely gardens to visit, but it gets very old having to pay sometimes 10 times as much as an Indian national to get in tosee these things. Even being married to an Indian, I am still seen as a tourist, and therefore, a walking pocketbook. The only time I was not seen this way was in Manali.

Delhi is a very overcrowded city, over 14 million at last count. Personal space is not in existance here. Beggars and touts are everywhere, including small children who hang out in traffic and at streetcorners, dodging in and out of cars tapping on windows, begging for rupees. Never give money to them, as it does not go to them. There are beggar “chiefs”, who manage certain areas, and all the money goes to them, not to the kids. If you want to give, give food, a pen or something like that.

Always haggle when shopping, as the price quoted is always double or sometimes more than that. Whatever price you are quoted, offer half; if they do not agree, walk away. More often than not, the shop owner will come down on his price. Maybe not to half, but this way both can find an agreeable price.

Food in Delhi is fantastic. I have become more vegetarian recently, due to the bird flu scare several months back, but have gone back to eating chicken now. some street foods are really good too, just try and find one that looks clean. See ones that have a big crowd outside, as they are the busy ones, therefore the food will be fresh. Just remember that hygiene standards are not the same here as in western countries, so be prepared. There is always the chance of Delhi belly, but the risk is worth it I suppose, as you can miss out on some great food by not trying different vendors.

All in all Delhi is a good place to come as a tourist, I just have grown stale of the place just from living here for so long, and for my own personal reasons that I prefer not to discuss in public.

Very historic city. Avoid the summers though.

I was born and grew up in the city. There is no place like Delhi that is what I think. It is changing so fast that sometimes going to a district few weeks after seems like going to a new place.

I’ve lived in Delhi, off and on, since 1986. Lots of history and people!

I went to Delhi for a friend’s wedding. There was a big group of us from London and we had the time of our lives! Delhi is chaotic but, like the rest of India, is to be enjoyed with all your senses: colours, smells of spices, taste of food, street cacophony, softness of the silk in bazaars… The adrenalin of a ride in a tuk-tuk, the grandeur of the Red Fort… You don’t visit Delhi, you experience it.

It’s polluted and people try to rip you off.

Make your way over there for some fun night life