New Delhi 2: Three saga continues, The Manor, more shopping
Got a call from Three again this morning. They only got the cover sheet of my authorization letter fax, so have to re-fax. Finally got a call shortly thereafter from them telling me what the DHL airway bill no. for my sim card is. ETA in Singapore is Monday, in time for my Wednesday morning arrival. I will have to call them to activate it though.
Decided to walk around Janpath Market. On the way, I was approached by a young guy. "Watch out," he yelled, as I tried to cross the street. While we were waiting for cars to pass, he adds, "I'm a university student, just want to practice my English. Where are you going?" To check out Janpath market. "Oh, don't go there, you'll get lots of people hassling you. Why don't you go to Central." Sure, I'll check it out. Though, in the back of my mind, I thought it would be a time waster. I got into a tuk tuk and Mannu the driver asks, "Where are you from?" They all ask that. "Are you married?", "Do you have a boyfriend?". I get to Central and the shop is very well put-together and a pleasant shopping environment. However, I know it will be a total time waster. They sell carpets, pashmina shawls, jewellery and knick knacks, nothing that I'm looking for. A good-looking guy by the name of Sofi greets me and takes me down to the carpet room. "Have a seat," he says, motioning towards the leather sofa. He starts pulling out carpets. "I'll look, but I'm not interested in buying," I tell him. It's OK, he tells me and asks if I want anything to drink and offers Kashmir tea. The tea arrives and it's good, hints of cardamom and honey, "like you," he adds. What a salesman. He gives his pitch on how carpets are made, how long it takes, the craftsmanship etc., and it's a good pitch. But unfortunately, I'm not in the market for a carpet. He looks disappointed and then takes me up to look at pashminas. Still not interested. "It's my birthday. I can give you a special discount." Nope, thanks, but no thanks. As I'm about to get back into the tuk tuk, he runs out and says, "The card I gave you has my mobile number. My name is Sofi. Call me if you want to celebrate my birthday with me tonight." Thanks. But again, no thanks. Back in the tuk tuk, Mannu asks me what I'm doing tonight. Work, I tell him. "I'll be working."
I head back to Janpath Market, and I do get hassled by everyone -- shoes shiners (I was wearing sandals), people selling pipes, mother with child...I find what I need from several stalls and head back to the hotel. Next on the list was Salon de Ravi Bajaj (women's line) in Defence Colony. I found it in the ground floor of a residential compound. The designs highlighted beadwork and embroidery, but not in an OTT way. Good for more formal, glittery occasions, but not what I was looking for. Decided to look for this shop called Kaaya, an emporium of Indian designer fashions, in South Extension I, but the shop had moved. Was going to check out Haus Khas Village, but was getting a bit hungry by 2pm so headed to The Manor, a boutique hotel in residential Friend's Colony. The 10-suite hotel is Aman's Delhi outpost for guests who want/need to stopover until they get their own property up-and-running. It was very quiet when I arrived. There was a group of people in the private dining room in the restaurant, 77, but nobody else. Didn't see any guests in the lobby or lawn. The feel reminds me of Amansara -- very few rooms in a residential compound. The Manor is great if you don't want to be anywhere near the hustle and bustle of Delhi. The surroundings are peaceful and orderly. Decor is a bit Conran modern -- clean, simple, not likely to offend, but then again, not likely to excite either. Having said that, The Manor is the only hotel of this type in Delhi, which is interesting.
Wifi connection used: Imperial Hotel, IRp900/24 hours (Around US$20)
Decided to walk around Janpath Market. On the way, I was approached by a young guy. "Watch out," he yelled, as I tried to cross the street. While we were waiting for cars to pass, he adds, "I'm a university student, just want to practice my English. Where are you going?" To check out Janpath market. "Oh, don't go there, you'll get lots of people hassling you. Why don't you go to Central." Sure, I'll check it out. Though, in the back of my mind, I thought it would be a time waster. I got into a tuk tuk and Mannu the driver asks, "Where are you from?" They all ask that. "Are you married?", "Do you have a boyfriend?". I get to Central and the shop is very well put-together and a pleasant shopping environment. However, I know it will be a total time waster. They sell carpets, pashmina shawls, jewellery and knick knacks, nothing that I'm looking for. A good-looking guy by the name of Sofi greets me and takes me down to the carpet room. "Have a seat," he says, motioning towards the leather sofa. He starts pulling out carpets. "I'll look, but I'm not interested in buying," I tell him. It's OK, he tells me and asks if I want anything to drink and offers Kashmir tea. The tea arrives and it's good, hints of cardamom and honey, "like you," he adds. What a salesman. He gives his pitch on how carpets are made, how long it takes, the craftsmanship etc., and it's a good pitch. But unfortunately, I'm not in the market for a carpet. He looks disappointed and then takes me up to look at pashminas. Still not interested. "It's my birthday. I can give you a special discount." Nope, thanks, but no thanks. As I'm about to get back into the tuk tuk, he runs out and says, "The card I gave you has my mobile number. My name is Sofi. Call me if you want to celebrate my birthday with me tonight." Thanks. But again, no thanks. Back in the tuk tuk, Mannu asks me what I'm doing tonight. Work, I tell him. "I'll be working."
I head back to Janpath Market, and I do get hassled by everyone -- shoes shiners (I was wearing sandals), people selling pipes, mother with child...I find what I need from several stalls and head back to the hotel. Next on the list was Salon de Ravi Bajaj (women's line) in Defence Colony. I found it in the ground floor of a residential compound. The designs highlighted beadwork and embroidery, but not in an OTT way. Good for more formal, glittery occasions, but not what I was looking for. Decided to look for this shop called Kaaya, an emporium of Indian designer fashions, in South Extension I, but the shop had moved. Was going to check out Haus Khas Village, but was getting a bit hungry by 2pm so headed to The Manor, a boutique hotel in residential Friend's Colony. The 10-suite hotel is Aman's Delhi outpost for guests who want/need to stopover until they get their own property up-and-running. It was very quiet when I arrived. There was a group of people in the private dining room in the restaurant, 77, but nobody else. Didn't see any guests in the lobby or lawn. The feel reminds me of Amansara -- very few rooms in a residential compound. The Manor is great if you don't want to be anywhere near the hustle and bustle of Delhi. The surroundings are peaceful and orderly. Decor is a bit Conran modern -- clean, simple, not likely to offend, but then again, not likely to excite either. Having said that, The Manor is the only hotel of this type in Delhi, which is interesting.
Wifi connection used: Imperial Hotel, IRp900/24 hours (Around US$20)
posted by 10000miles at 01:35
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