Entrance to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Large imperial building Image © JeremyRichards, 2007 Used under license from Shutterstock.com
The capital of a wildly diverse country, Delhi is a blend of so many curries that the flavor becomes a bit indistinct. But the spice remains. It's a fine first nibble of the sensory overload that is India. The striking colors get lost in tans and grays, the thumping rhythms of a wedding party are a few blocks away, and there's only a dose of the incense and manure that make your olfactories shut down in other regions. Your eyes won't know where to turn as destitute beggars limp past honking Mercedes who are stuck in traffic for a wandering cow's sake. This is a city of survival, and the maelstrom of activity you observe can transform your worldview. The experience is far more fulfilling than the dank international airport terminals. When Douglas Adams said, "It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'as pretty as an Airport' appear," he may have been inspired by this very place. So get a transit visa ahead of time to take the leap out of the terminals. Enjoy the ancient vibe of Mughal ruins. Chat with a brightly saried bride as your henna dries. Ride the wave of hectic energy as you bargain your way through the muddy markets. Just give yourself a good buffer of time to account for India's utter lack of punctuality, and don't try to figure it out on the first day.