LAST DELHI BLOG 

I can't believe there are now only five days left living in India! How time has flown on this wonderful, amazing adventure!!!

 February was spent travelling: firstly with good friends over from the UK touring around Rajasthan and then the rest of the month saw us visit two other continents; Dubai in the Middle East and South Africa. Dubai was glitzy, flashy and awe inspiring

in the range of amazing glass buildings of all shapes and sizes that rose up out of the desert. The God of Dubai is definitely money! Cape Town on the other hand was astoundingly beautiful , not because of what man has built but because of the majestic mountains that tower over the city and the Indian and Atlantic oceans that wrap themselves around it. We were really taken aback by the glorious golden , clear light that made everything look bright and sharp – probably the contrast seemed greater to us after having lived under the white smog filled haze of Delhi skies!

So we returned from our travels to the last three weeks in Delhi. Gradually we have been selling off all the possessions that we

have acquired since we've been here and the house has now taken on an empty , forlorn look .The weather has been amazing, especially in the early mornings when it still feels fresh. I've taken to going out early and walking around the small park at the end of our road. The trees are laden with bright pink and white blossoms and the park is filled with flowers. It's surprising how many people are up and about early, jogging , power walking, gossiping, doing yoga or martial arts – the park is a hive of activity at seven in the morning! Outside the park gates street children scavenge for recycling material amongst the rubbish, large white sacks slung across their backs and women gather firewood dropped from the trees, carrying large bundles of it down the road on their heads. How I will miss scenes like this when back in England!


 Amazingly all the items we needed to sell went and the kitchen cupboards were empty again! Soon we were standing , keys in hand looking at the empty shell of our flat. Despite it's ill -fitting windows , its rain stained walls and insect inhabitants, this house had become our home and leaving it was very sad. We padlocked the gate for the last time , taking one last look at the busy street, the shady trees full of chattering birds and chipmunks and drove out of the sector and away from Vasant Kunj for the last time!

 Later on , in the plane , I craned my neck to look back at the city .We rapidly left behind the maze of dusty roads , ancient ruins, modern malls and squalid slums as we rose up through the smog haze and entered the blue sky above! India has a way of getting under your skin and working it's way deep into your heart so that leaving it is physically painful!! It's like being separated from a loved one !!! It is also a very addictive place , once tasted you need to return again and again so I know that although we have to leave now it won't be forever.

WE WILL BE BACK!