Back from where I left off...

For some reason when I looked on here today I realised I've not posted a single thing in all of two months!  So firstly, apologies to those who have asked when I might appear on my blog again.  Secondly, I don't really have an excuse, which is pretty disgraceful!  I will try and explain what I've been up to in that time, only briefly of course, wouldn't want to bore you but trust me I've been having a great time here!  Then in the next few blogs I'll go into more detail about the more interesting things that have gone on...

So...in no particular order, we've:

Held two flat parties.  The first took place on Independence Day over here, ie the day the Indians celebrate their independence from the British, and what do we do?  Invite them round to ours!  As we'd only recently moved in we thought it'd be fitting to show off our decorated, renovated flat by having an India flag theme, so people were only allowed to wear white, saffron or green (see left).

The second party was actually to finish off all the alcohol we didn't get through on the first-people drink a lot less over here!  Buying three crates of Kingfisher and then realising there's only about three lads who will actually drink the stuff is good on principle, but when the fridge is still full of beer a week later, a second party was called for.  Anyway, both were good fun, we got to meet new people and say thanks to those who had made the move to Delhi so easy, and we kind of gave the neighbours a taste of what was to come from our awesome roof balcony.  It makes a great place to chill, play some music and enjoy being outside.

Been to Delhi Zoo

The Zoo was incredible.  No really, the best I've ever been to by a country mile.  I'll put another post up about the Zoo and our afternoon of fun there in a minute, it's worth it!

Celebrated Krishna's birthday

On a special Sunday what feels like a long time ago now we went to several nearby temples in the afternoon to celebrate Jamnastame (sp?), the birth day of Lord Krishna.  In the cool covered area of one there must have been about 30 men, chanting, banging drums, singing, dancing, burning incense, constantly moving around a central point as they offered up their gratitude and thanks.  It was certainly impressive to watch, and I was told they would keep up the celebration right up until midnight, when Krishna was supposedly born.  It was about 4pm, and after we watched for about half an hour, this whirl of human energy and emotion, continue with no let up,  I could well imagine another 8 hours of this.  Good effort, I thought, these guys can teach the party-goers of today a thing or two about stamina... 

Witnessed a religious ceremony right outside our house!

A pooja (again sp sorry) is an impromptu celebration of God.  It can take place at any time, any where.  So imagine our surprise when we woke up one morning to discover a makeshift hall had been erected on the road outside the flat!  Bamboo sticks held the white fabric in place, and they'd even made a little exit for us to come and go.  That evening, the music, and singing, and the lead guy shouts Jai Mar Tadi! (Peace be with you or something similar) and we all follow suit, raising our hands in the air.  

The women sit on one side, perfectly cross-legged, whilst the men sit across from them, also cross-legged (except for me that is),  each sex pretending not to look at the other but occasionally throwing sideway glances at the other.  Some women got up to dance in front of the rather garish lights (sorry they do look a bit psychadelic, all purples and pinks) whilst the band play for them.

Experienced our first trance party in India!  

We'd both been dying to have a proper dance since we got here and when we heard about this night, which took place in the club of a 5-star hotel (the only nightclubs are based in hotels in Delhi), we just had to go.  It was surreal walking through the marble reception, down past the elaborate waterfall and elegant chandeliers, to the heavy beats of the music below.  And the dress sense!  Girls in high heels and expensive dresses, the men wearing flash designer shirts and smart shoes, this is not your average trance party I was left thinking!  No wonder noone was dancing, it seemed more of a place to be seen and people watch.  None of this mattered to us though in our frayed jeans and casual wear- after nailing a few drinks about 6 of us took to the dance floor and didn't leave for about 3 hours straight, by which time the club was largely deserted.  Great progressive music though, it turned out the guest DJ, DJ San was from a chill-out shack in Goa, have a listen here.

Speaking of Goa, we've been there for a week!  (see separate post)

Had three different people come and stay, two of whom we'd never even met before!  (have a read of 'Three ships go sailing by')

Last, but by no means least, in fact the most amazing experience in India to date, we just came back from four days of extreme fun-white-water rafting on the river Ganges!  Staying just north of a place called Rishikesh (have a look on the map here) right on the beach, taking in the stunning scenery then taking on the might of the Ganga!  But that trip deserves its own special post, which I'll put up shortly.  But honestly, if there is one place you should go to in India, go to Rishikesh, or more specifically, the Snow Leopard beach.

There have been many other things going on, not least my job which is proving extremely challenging juggling numerous tasks and actual skills at once, but I'm happy to say we are making progress and taking the Penguin India website to new horizons.  Talking about Penguin India, I'm excited that Chris Patten, ex-Governor of Hong Kong etc etc, is in Delhi next week to deliver the Penguin Annual Lecture on Globalisation and where we can go from here, should be a cracking event.

Out.  But will be back soon, promise.  Tomorrow's a holiday here so I'll write some more then.