Upon stepping out of the train, we knew that we had to go to the metro (subway) station to take the metro. As we walked, we found ourselves at the ticketing booth of the train station and got stopped by some random locals who asked us if we wanted train tickets. The three Singaporean guys who we were supposed to meet for the first time in the evening had already secured the train tickets from Delhi to Agra and so I declined the local's offer of selling the ticket to us. "We already have tickets. Thanks." He then asked, "Is it going from New Delhi train station or Old Delhi? Because now New Delhi have fire. The train tracks are burned down. The train cannot go from New Delhi but only from Old Delhi. My ticket from Old Delhi." I looked at Swee Geok and we both looked each other. Without speaking, we knew what was passing through each other's minds. That must have been a lie. We had heard enough of lies from books and the internet to believe what the locals were saying. "No thanks. I think we have got tickets already. Thanks. Really." I said, brushing them off and trying to find an escape route amongst the many human barriers.
WOW! New Delhi's is no doubt the capital of India, bustling with life and is constantly so vibrant. After being lost for a few more minutes and being followed by another two more India men who wanted to 'bring' us to the metro station, we finally met this very kind Indian man who told us that he was going to the metro and for us to follow him. For some reason, I let my guard down and decided to follow him despite having zero trust in the other two men who were following us. I suppose it was because he was decently dressed, did not seem pushy and seemed to sincerely want to save us from our predicarment of being harrassed by two strangers.
We finally made it to New Delhi's metro station and with the help of two kind Indian women, bought our subway 'ticket', which was actually a coin. The two Indian women were so kind that they ended up paying for our ticket and refused our offer of returning the money to them!
The Delhi metro map
The metro station was filled with security and checks had to be made before you enter the station. Just like in airports, we had to put our bags to scan and there were police officers station at the scan check stations. It was pretty scary seeing such tight security even in metro stations, because it'd make you wonder if such measures were put up because of how unsafe the metro is with all the terrorist activities. Ahh, how I have always taken for granted how safe it is taking the MRT (subway) in Singapore.
There was 2-3 strictly female cabins on one metro train and we decided to take that after hearing horror stories of how jam packed the other cabins can be and how men just rush in and touch you on the pretext that the cabin is too crowded. How thankful was I for the strictly female cabin because I was wondering how I'd try to protect myself from the sexual harrassment acts.
Upon getting into the train, I finally witnessed how kind the locals can get, unlike what we experience back in Singapore. As we were carrying big backpacks, a local actually got up to offer us her seat thinking that our backpack might be too heavy. How kind! I was really touched by her offer. Because we were looking through the lonely planet book, locals started talking to us and offering us directions and suggestions on how we could get to the place that we wanted to.
We alighted at Patel Chowk metro station, which was where the metro museum was housed and unknowingly set eyes at our first sightseeing venue in New Delhi. The station was otherwise pretty basic and empty. There was construction going on at the surroundings of the station. You can really see how New Delhi has so much land for growth and improvement. Tuk-tuks (Autos) were waiting outside and once again, locals surrounded us and we had to bargain for the best deal to get to the shopping complex that we wanted to. I like how the locals can all speak a splatter of English because they need to do business. That's life, having to learn for survival but it's such a beauty of life, seeing how adaptable human beings are to circumstances.
This is how close the cars drive to one another and how skilful each driver is because they can easily cut through spaces and gaps when they see one, after much honking
People and cars have equal usage of the road
Lunch at T.G.I.F
Christmas at West Gate Mall
There was a Christmas celebration right outside of West Gate Mall and people on slits were walking around. It was a fairy theme and there were lucky draws to be won and games to be played. I felt like I had gone back in time to my childhood days and felt so happy to be there. Guess who I met? I bumped into a malnutritioned Santa Claus and he even gave me a handful of chocolates! Yayy! My first Christmas present!
After having so much fun, we made our way to New Delhi metro station to meet the three Singaporean guys - Ryan, Clarence and Jerome to catch the train from New Delhi to Agra. While waiting for the guys, Swee Geok and I witnessed a fight whereby an Indian man was kicked and punched by the policemen till he fell on the floor. Subsequently, that guy was dragged out of the station by the policemen. It was such a sad sight as we saw him being dragged away, leaving behind his slipper. Apparently, he had tried to cheat on the fare and attempt to enter the metro gates without a ticket. With such tight security in the metro stations, the gates almost cannot be penetrated. I suppose when you are desperate and have no money, the hope of escaping the eyes of the law will exist. Sigh.
We finally met up with the guys and made our way to the train to Agra!
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