The last day in Delhi & journey back home 15th/16th September.

Quote of the day by Anne:

Anne: I need to sweat now.

Luna: Why?

Anne (very dry): so that I don't have to go to the toilet.

Good to know:

Indian men hold hands while walking on the street here, but homosexuality is rejected here.

In the morning we went to a flea market that sounded promising according to Google reviews. There were indeed great brand watches, superb gold jewelry & clothing made of high-quality plastic. To balance that out, we went to a mall.

We discovered a supermarket and bought a lot of spices. I'm telling you, I'm starting to learn cooking tomorrow. Anne will only believe it when she sees it.

Enjoying our last times:

- walking recklessly across a busy street

- Riding overpriced Tuk Tuk

- Eating delicious Indian food

- Sweating

- Inhaling the less pleasant smells

We threw in postcards, let's see if they arrive. We were watched by beggar children, I suspect that the mailbox has been broken into & the stamps sold.

Uber ride to the airport at half past eleven. The driver was wild. Continuous high beam, the indicator was blinking continuously. Highlight: driving over one of the speed bumps (we can't think of the correct word) at 80 km/h, all three of us hit our heads against the ceiling. Probably not his intention. We had to suppress our laughter a lot due to his driving skills, and although all drivers have driven adventurously so far, this was the first time we felt unsure.

Our flight to Amsterdam is at half past three in the morning. This time on time! We are now sitting at Amsterdam Airport and waiting to arrive in Stuttgart without delay.

Finally, you can walk through crowds without being stared at or asked for a selfie. A liberating feeling. For Luna, however, the cold drizzly weather is more of a highlight of returning home.

CONCLUSION:

We did everything right.

Even though 2 weeks is not enough to say that you know how India is, it was perfect for us to get a first impression. I loved this way of traveling, spontaneous, hostels without much planning. It is much less stressful. We have met great people. Always ate well (& tolerated it well too). Didn't get sick! All in all, great!

OUR TIPS FOR INDIA:

- Slightly shabby locals with lots of people

- Never trust Indians who ask for directions and then take forever to respond, because they don't understand a word of English and will give you any direction

- Anne's top tip: if you need to go to the toilet and it's at least 30 degrees, try to sweat

- When going out to eat, expect at least 30 minutes of preparation time

- If you think something is a 10-minute walk away, it will take at least 30 minutes because you underestimate the distances

- Never feel bad about haggling the price down for a Tuk Tuk ride; you will be cheated anyway

- Don't feel bad about begging children, as there are often criminal activities behind it

- Or mothers with babies who want to buy milk powder, they are in cahoots with the kiosk owner

- Don't worry about water, wherever there are many people, there are drinking stations

- Don't bring 2 rolls of toilet paper (like Anne), because wherever there are tourists, there is also toilet paper

- Insect repellent!!

- For long journeys and little time, a night bus is absolutely worthwhile (provided it has air conditioning)