Many people consider New York City the best city in the world, and while I do agree that it's awesome, my favorite city is Delhi, India. Delhi gets a bad rap for being smelly, dirty and over-populated, and while you can find these elements all in different parts of Delhi, I prefer to think of them as just one piece in a magnificent puzzle. I have spent an extensive amount of time in and around Delhi, so I have a special sort of love for it. Although, there are many things which make Delhi the king of all cities to me, I thought I'd list out the top five comparisons to NYC in hopes that instead of being looked down upon, maybe it can be seen in a new light.
1. Lodi Garden
Of course, NYC wouldn't be NYC without Central Park, but Delhi wouldn't be Delhi without Lodi Garden. Central Park may be king of the park bench, but Lodi Garden is king of the flowers. Lodi Garden may be smaller at only 90 acres, compared to the 843 in Central Park, but the garden does those 90 acres well as it is filled with not only flowers, but also ancient tombs. Sure, there may be some people doing yoga in Central Park, but people come every morning to the garden to practice yoga throughout the garden in a place where it is a cultural tradition, AKA it's the real deal. Maybe you can get a cold drink from a water fountain in Central Park, but can you get a coconut opened right in front of you filled with coconut water and jelly for the small price of 50 rupees (about a dollar) like you can in Lodi Garden?
2. Prices
Pretty much everything is more expensive in NYC; it's just a fact. In Delhi, the prices are low. Our American dollar goes far in India compared to the rupee. One hundred Indian Rupees is at an exchange rate of a $1.50 in the U.S. Yesterday, I went to a good restaurant with a friend, bought more food than we could finish and bottled water and a lassi, and both of our meals combined, including tip, came out to be about $10. A tapestry here will set you back about three to five U.S. dollars.
3. The Metro
NYC has more stations, but Delhi is still up there ranking number 12 for the largest metro system. On top of that, the metro in Delhi is way cleaner than the subway in NYC. They do not allow eating or drinking on the metro, and they have people cleaning it often. They even have a security check before entering the metro, so it is safe. It's government run, and they make sure to keep it up-to-date. They just added more stations this past year and have updated the maps and the electronic labels in the metro, which label where the metro is going and what stop it is on, accordingly. It's much cheaper (those prices again); typically around 50 cents a ride in the U.S.. Oh, and it's air conditioned, thank God.
4. Hauz Khas Village
You have Williamsburg, Brooklyn; we have HauzKhas Village. Filled with cafes, blocked-off streets where you can only drive on if you are a "village-resident," independent shops filled with hand-made soaps, recycled clothing and posters – what more could a hipster want? At night, this place is alive and well, featuring street food, restaurants with funny names and roof-top views and a large selection of bars and night clubs with drinks that come in all sorts of containers, whether it be a ziploc bag, a science beaker, a test tube or a glass bong, you're sure to find at least one funky drink worth Instagramming.
5. 'Cause Chai
We get it, New York, you have a zillion coffee shops, but Delhi has chai. It doesn't just have it at coffee shops; it has it everywhere. You walk into a store to buy clothes, chai is offered. You start talking to a person on the street, they offer to bring you home and serve you chai. Any restaurant, there's chai. Chai, Chai, Chai. And it's not the "American" chai; this is milky, spicy, sweet chai made by hand over the stove with milk and spices, and the place or person's own personal recipe. Need I say more?
Smelly Delhi isn't so smelly, and it's pretty freaking awesome. You can find imperfections in any place you go, but try looking at things in a new light and you just might find yourself falling in-love. So, instead of going to NYC for the millionth time, try something new. India is waiting for you!
