Traveling to India with a few obstacles

It’s a very special travel period at the moment when you go to India. Not because of the huge mass of people and tourists arriving 24 hours at Delhi airport, not because of the waiting time to get the visa stamp, not because of some very kind, but not really successful Indian  recommendations – mostly because the pronunciation is not understandable and after asking again – with the same result – it is better to proceed. All this is just a case of getting used to it. 

But this morning when I arrive there is no money exchange possible. Nowhere at the airport.  All ATMs are out of order, too. Neither 10000, nor 1000 nor 500, nor 20 rupees: “Cash is finished”. I mean I would have been happy to receive 5 EUR changed. For being able to buy a coffee or for a  bottle of water. But nothing. In front of any exchange office  or ATM machine there are a lot of people waiting and hoping that something happens, but again nothing. Money will come soon, still within the next hours. The question is how long will the next package of bills last with hundreds of people waiting to be served?

Why all of that? Because on 9th November all 500 and 1000 rupees bank notes have become invalid. This governmental decision was not announced, but just took place. 

There might be a lot of valid reasons for doing so or not – I do not know- but what I really find amazing is that such a kind of action is possible. Just imagine this would happen elsewhere…. but here it is one challenge among others, of course it creates trouble, but the people stay friendly, no big anger, no loud discussions – as far as I can see. 

Well, I’m told that taxis can be paid by card and many other services, too. My hopes about a card service get less when I’m at the “left bags warehouse”. I had planned to leave some bags in Delhi while staying a few  days in Leh. I need most of the things only from Tuesday onwards. But my Visa card is not accepted  – although in the middle of the night the card machine has been organized spontaneously by a friendly young Indian woman at the storage hall. 

In the back some men are sleeping with the heads on the desk. And some tourists, some Indians stay on the right and left sleeping – if they all do dream of the day when cash will come back? 

I have to carry all my bags to Leh and to pay for the overweight as the upcoming domestic flight just allows 15 kg. From the warehouse to the airport hall, from the drop bag booth to the cashier booth, back again, finally: bags are handed over. Now remains only the general and well known check in to be done and – how could it be differently-  my flight at six in the morning is at the last and most distant gate. Only a 20 minutes walk away 😉

Done. A little bit tired, the smog in the air is really “touchable and there is a bad smell” and even it is not too hot at the moment, the humidity is there. 

But with all the inconveniences and struggles there is also a lot of life around me. Smiles, colours, diverse life styles and always a small adventure. 

It’s great to be back in India!!! 

Once the plane leaves, it will take an hour to reach Leh in the Himalayas… at the height of 3300 m, a different world, but India, always!