Ellie moves to Delhi: Look at all those tips?!

My last blog post was a bit of a moan so thanks for being my ear during mein kampf. You'll be happy to know the food situation has been rectified. During Dewali, the festival of lights myself, the manager of MHE and his girlfriend Pooni (who I am now temporarily staying with in Delhi) went round to the local outdoor camps to wish them happy Dewali. The supposedly best hotel on the Ganges gave us some lunch, the below photo shows the dessert we received, the chocolate mouse was lighter than air. I was in a comatic state after the things I consumed this day.

The glass house on the Ganges

The fireworks in Dewali were a brilliant example of India's regards to health and safety. Outside Bull's Retreat, on the side of the road, fireworks were being set off towards telephone lines, shops, spinning wheels thrown into the road while cars whizzed by. And these horrible bangers which did exactly what you'd expect. While I was setting up a wheel spinner someone threw a banger right next to me, causing a massive bang which was ringing in my ear for the next ten minutes. It felt like being in a war zone if I'm completely honest. And I was told later that I had experienced a controlled Dewali celebration.

Since returning back to Delhi for a few days, I have been able to witness first hand the environmental impact the fireworks of Dewali have. The constant black fog makes Delhi seem like the setting for an apocalypse movie. It genuinely scares me to think that this is what the world could look like in years to come. The pollution levels have reached maximum on the scale, and it is clear to see from the bloodshot eyes of the metro goers. I spent 4 hours outside yesterday and I now have a horrible throat cold, and I woke up with a swollen eye but that could be down to many things. India does take a toll on the body but I've learnt to roll with it. The photo below was taken at 2:30pm.

My face mask improvised from one of Poonie's sweat bands. Nathan wasn't too thrilled to be accompanying me whilst wearing it.

I've now been in India for 8 weeks, and feel as though I'm starting to get a pretty good understanding of the going on's here, so I've put together a little list of my top tips for travlars.

Tips for travellers in India:

When using a Rickshaw to get the best price (this is one I've been told from a local friend) - "be more black"
If you're being hassled to buy something - Try selling them anything you have on your possession (a man tried to sell me socks and luckily enough I had a pair of socks in my bag which I tried giving to him for 100RPS, it gets a smile rather than just saying no all the time)
If you're a big dog lover like me - feel free to pet the strays but don't give them too much affection, I found myself being followed by 6 stray dogs into a camp which the owners weren't too happy about. These dogs are used to a lot of hate so it takes throwing rocks at them for them to leave, which I will not do.
Don't fall asleep on public transport - I was asleep in a taxi and almost missed my first elephant sighting, luckily for me the kind driver woke me up so I didn't miss out. There's always a lot to see when travelling in India
When you find toilet roll hold onto it, I have gained quite a reputation for my roll stealing out here, it's pretty rare so when a toilet is supplied, I always take a cut.
Expect the unexpected - During the briefs for the rafting trip while the group was about to get onto the water, a group of 30 villagers descended carrying a body, which they proceeded to burn and then send down river. I decided then to stop drinking the water that had been my source of fluids the previous day.
Always ask - Gary from Gary's farm had access to a lot of vehicles, I was lucky enough to drive a delicious looking motorbike (don't ask me the type I'm not good with bikes, all you'll get is delicious from me) and a tractor from asking politely.

Gary, carries a sword, bit of a lad

30mph watch out kids

Appreciate what you have - For a month I have been washing out of a cold bucket, which is perfectly fine. But it wasn't until the other day when at a camp I got to have a hot shower I remembered what I had been missing, it was euphoric! Depravation is so worth it to then have the feeling of indulgence.
Living with Indians - They will either have staff to do all the domestic jobs or want to do all the work themselves. Therefore I've found in order for me to help out I'll wash the pots when Pooni is otherwise occupied so she can't prise the dishes away from my hands. Boy this was the other way around when I was at home.
If its your birthday, keep it on the down low. Things are the other way around in India so instead of being treated, you're the one treating everyone else. JP forked out 1500RPS for his birthday, and Fil, well he got a face full of cake, which personally I wouldn't have minded.

Fil's messy night

Homesickness - India may be different, but you can always find familiar things in unfamiliar places, this goat pictured below looks very similar to my prince Sox. It's always nice to get a little reminder of home now and again.