Let me begin by saying that my digital camera, an after thought to my journey, was a Kodak DX-6490 that melted quite severly under 45 degree heat (112+ fahrenheit). The camera would not keep an accurate time/date stamp and has since been scrapped. Please consider this when it comes to this report, I can not see into the future (if I could, I would be Ted Turner!).
I was staying in the East Patel Nagar region of New Delhi. I had agreed to this project as a consultant to stay busy post semi retirement. I had no idea what I was in for. I am a British/American citizen, jewish supposedly although I do not practice organized religion, and I rented an apartment building with three other guys I had not met before, all with the singular purpose of building a communications infrastructure bridging two countries where no such telecommunications existed.
A noble cause to say the least., but three more different personalities or religions could never have been pulled from a lottery basket. I must admit that when I woke up, after a 9 hour flight from London, to a muslim in my living room doing his morning prayers, has never a sight been more disturbing. For three days, I did not leave my suite. I would wake up to those prayers of my immediate neighbor and cover (or should I say cower) myself with my comfortable blanket for safety. I would not commune with my partners. I am technically jewish after all. And add to that, I am British/American and my two partners were both from the State Bank of Afghanistan. How on earth could I work with these fellas? Not only is my supposed religion at war with them, but both my countries (passport wise) had invaded and occupied theirs.
As unfortunate as it may seem, as as likely a reoccurrence as it is, I drank a bit of scotch from stress and decided to venture out of my suite and into the common area of our apartment building. As they say, alcohol breaks down barriers from time to time and in this case, it proved quite true.
We had dinner as gentlemen that night, got to know one another, and over the course of our assignment, became fast and life long friends. We were buddies who discussed religion, politics, family. I am always astounded that a man such as myself, who has known prejudice, who has fought against such, can be prejudiced himself.
So as friends, let me explain the pictures presented in this report. All of these pictures occurred during the recent declared terrorist alert in Delhi (New York attempted bombing).
#1: A failed fire bombing on the internation apartment building next to ours (we own a block in East Patal).
#2: Afterwards, a hint of inspection
#3: Thank god it had failed to do any real damage.
#4: The Mosque my friends asked me to visit to prove Islam was not my enemy. I have to admit it was uncomfortable but at least I has not so weak as to deny my friends.
#5: Me and my friend Walid, a muslim from Afhanistan standing next to a UK/US jew... what's better than that?
#6: Is a picture from Shimla, India that I think describes the world...
P.S. As a final note. Indian television did not report any current news without it being censored. CNN was the only true news any of us had in New Delhi and, having known CNN since the first Iraq war, I would like to take my hat off and thank them for keeping this man informed even while overseas. We only heard about the reasons behind the terror alert and the consquent New York bomber via CNN.
CNN is the best.