Judy's Day 2 Catchup post # 4

Sunday July 8, 2007 (ya well!)
Our first stop The Grand Hotel. This was the place we THOUGHT we would be staying for a month or two because a family from Ingenix would need Joel’s apartment. This didn’t happen, but we wanted to check it out due to all the good things we have heard about the food, etc. This hotel, as I understand it, caters mainly to Americans. The prices reflect this as very few could afford to stay or eat there. (Frankly, this was certainly not our typical dinner fare but we thought it fun to treat our selves. And as all proper 5 star hotel buffets, prices were NOT posted.) For instance, our dinner cost, as we understand it, about 16 days of a driver’s salary, yet in America, at a 5 star hotel, this would not have been an unreasonable price for a meal.

The hotel is mostly gold and black. The floors in pillars being of black Marble. The views out the two restaurants windows that we could see were stunning landscaped water falls.

Below are pictures of the views out of the windows of the hotel. First is the Coffee house that I need to go back to and spend some quality study and reading time.

The second is the view from our table at the buffet.



The buffet that had, probably 30 dishes to try, plus grilled meat, pastries, desert, fruit, salads, etc. So, I ate myself full yet missed many taste sensations. Everything was wonderful. Mostly Indian dishes. Most everything was very small so we were able to taste a lot. The service was fantastic as well We do hope to go back to the hotel’s Sushi restaurant at some point.

Below is Joel at the Grand Hotel.


Not very many blocks from the hotel on our way in we saw more of Delhi streets where there were shops and housing. It was a little unreal going from that to the Grand Hotel.


Next We were going to continue to the market called Delhi Haat and a few other places. On the way to the mall the driver suggested that it was too hot to go to Delhi Haatt which is an outdoor mall. He pulled in to another shop called the lotus mall/Cottage Industries. It was a higher scaled store that is very updated and indoor… yeah air conditioning!

You enter to a greeter lady and there are art pieces displayed and back lit like a museum on the main floor with some description and explanation of the work that goes in to the silver pieces and other carvings. You are taken by the greeter to where 2 men are hand knotting a carpet. She describes how this rug will take a year or so to make, that one man is reading the pattern to the other so they are doing the exact stitch on both the left and right of the rug to ensure accuracy in the pattern. The loom is about as tall as I am. The finished portion of the rug rolled at the bottom. A gorgeous detailed red colored base pattern and then the constant amount of white wool strings from where they are working to the top of the loom where they will tie in to. The greeter guided us up to the floor where they sell rugs and we got an even greater explanation; silk versus the wool, the quality will withstand for hundredsof years. etc. . They were beautiful and INCREDABLY soft! They brought out many rugs for us to peruse and drool over. Though they were much persisting we managed to resist. I would find that this persistence, even though I KNEW to expect it, was a challenge for me. I was grateful for Joel’s month of experience. He was very relaxed yet persistent with his “no” and “no think you”. I was persistent but uncomfortable. They would say. “do you like this rug?” we would say, “yes it is beautiful”. “Well, why don’t you buy it then!” in a polite yet persistent tone. The information was interesting and we didn’t want to just move on. The rest of the store was the same persistency level. Well, in some cases more so. They would cary things, like big silver ornate expensive jewelry boxes with them that I commented favorably on “just in case!” I did purchase a couple Indian style outfits. They material is beautiful and they fit nicely and are quite comfortable light fabric. A HUGE shift from what I wear in color, but I can use a little comfort zone expansion! One is a red. and the other a gold/orange patterned silk. (I’ll be brave and post pics when I wear them.)

Here is a picture of inside the store where I purchased my clothes.

Then we were ushered to jewelry. we were looking at GORGIOUS rings of diamond and sapphires, “the stone of India.” The salesman said as he brought out 4 cases of rings, that this is Indian hospitality and there is no pressure. I held this phrase close to my heart for the rest of the shopping tour.

By the time we were done I was exhausted. I wanted to look and learn, but also wanted to escape. They were ALWAYS politely toned and I knew it wasn’t exactly THREATENING but it kept me on my toes.

It is one aspect of the culture here that will be a challenge. The “we want you to get exactly and only what you want.” But push you to find reason’s to buy what you don’t. In many ways a very kind and friendly and genuine culture too. So, kind of oxymoronic.

It was good boot camp for future ventures in to that type of market. And for ME also good for back home too. :)

We postponed the rest of the places for another day.

Our quick stop at the mall for water ran us in to the Disney Store Promotion.
Check out those Mickey and Donald Costumes.