Saturday morning I hopped
on the metro - opened only in 2002 and expanding fast - it's modern and well
designed. Within 40 minutes I was at my first tourist sight, just 21R and no
haggling with the rickshaws drivers. It was a 15-minute walk to Qatab Minar but
worth it, incredible architecture that had been well preserved.
Back on the metro and up
to Parliament building then to walk along Raj Ghat to India Gate. Parliament is
impressively large, the walk to India Gate is reminiscent of Champs Elysées
from which it was time for an easy KFC lunch at Connaught Place where I met a
fellow gay traveller who was from Costa Rica - we shared stories and experiences
over fried chicken legs before going our separate ways. 
For dinner I took myself
to experience the Main Bazaar, a shopping street but also a tourist hub of
small Indian restaurants and hotels. From here I again met Rohit to make our
way to Noida for the gay party at M Lounge - the only way of finding out about
gay nightlife in Delhi is to be on an invite list. It's worth contacting local
guys through Planet Romeo/ Gay Romeo. Noida is another city connected to
Delhi about 45 minutes by metro from the centre. 
Sunday brought a slight
hangover but I headed to explore the Red Fort and Old Delhi. It was hectic, hot
and noisy - it became too much for me. The hassle from touts was ruining the
experience and lack of visible restaurants was also making my stomach scream.
So I decided to head back to Main Bazaar for food.
I took a helicopter taxi
from Red Fort who agreed to a 30-minute journey to Main Bazaar with a small
tour along the way, unfortunately 60 minutes later I was still sat on a bumpy
road. He did though take me to a local area where they dry flowers herbs and
chilies for trading - watching the local lads pull large truck loads of
goods.
Delhi shuts shop early on
Sunday, so by 4.30pm many stores had closed. I was dropped at my point of
request and ended in an argument with the driver for over-payment, I refused to
pay much more than we agreed. We agreed 70R for 30 minutes, he quoted me 100
rupees for an hour, he tried charging 140R - the tourist police got involved
listening to both sides of the story and then told the driver to move on, I too
left in a hurry. It didn't feel good trying to be conned
TOP TIP - always shake
and agree a deal with set parameters, but honestly I would avoid all cycle
rickshaw/helicopter drivers in future.
After dinner on Main
Bazaar I headed to Connaught Place to meet local Indian gay lads in thw local
cruising park. I spent a few hours walking around and speaking to different
groups of gay lads to find out about gay life here in Delhi. (Read my blog post
– Gay Delhi) It was their weekly chance to get together and feel comfortable in
public, the park was really quite busy and the lads welcoming and friendly.
There were also a few groups of trans people and some openly available escorts.
At the sunset the park began to empty.
Read more in my feature
Gay Delhi.
Next day it was off to
Jaipur.
HOTEL
Blueberry Hotel, Delhi
8/12-13, W.E.A. Abdul
Aziz Road,
Near Metro Pillar
No. 92 & 93
Karol Bagh, New
Delhi-110005,
Ph.:
011-42542073/74/75/76/77
28751717,28751717,28752020
Website:-
www.hotelblueberry.com
