Population: 190 Million

With a population of approximately 190 million, Delhi, India is what you would call, crowded. Up and down the streets are a dozen rickshaws, most of which will try to get the attention of tourists and convince them they simply cannot go any farther without a ride. If they choose to keep walking tourists will have bikes, rickshaws, and motor vehicles to compete with. Another obstacle to look out for is people jams. It's like a slow moving queue for your favorite theme park attraction, except with five time the amount of people.

All around are bright colors, most of which don’t coordinate, that come in various forms, such as clothing, buildings, and food. Speaking of food, all noses will be bombarded by lots of new smells; some of them heavenly, others…not so much.

The leading religion, Hinduism, has shrines to their different gods all over the city. There'll be any number of people at them all throughout the day, ringing bells, burning incense, or praying.

But perhaps the most nerve racking experience is the traffic. Three lanes, in reality, is more like four and half. Rickshaws, bicycles and motorcycles (the later carrying up to six people and a big screen TV) weave in and out of the cars, sometimes getting up on the sidewalks. The horn is essential for driving in Delhi; it’s their way of letting everybody in a hundred foot radius know where they are. As far as speed goes, everyone goes as fast as they like. Since they’re constantly using the horn, people know to get out of the way. Just, maybe hold on tight as not all vehicles will have seat belts.

As I mentioned before, Delhi has a population of approximately 190 million. Approximately 65 million of them live in slums.

“The India census defines the term “slum” as an area resided in yet unsuited for human habitation. These places are deemed unfit if they are a hazard to human health and safety due to lack of space, ventilation, cleanliness and other factors. These areas also lack hygienic drinking water facilities, functional bathroom areas and plumbing.

The Delhi slum population lives day-to-day without the basic amenities of electricity, plumbing and gas. Most of the residents are unemployed or daily wage workers, making less than the equivalent of one U.S. dollar a day.”

– Hannah Kaiser, The Borgen Project

In the slums it’s a brightly colored, dirty maze of two story buildings that sit no more than six feet apart. Narrow gutters run through the small streets, providing a bit of an obstacle course combined with people, rickety ladders, clotheslines, and a few scattered carts. It seems to be plenty of room for the hundreds of children to play their games. Many of them wear clothes they outgrew years ago. Some of them might approach to beg for a few rupees and maybe a bite to eat.

The buildings that line the narrow streets have rooms are no bigger than a master bath; or smaller than a master bath depending on the building. Three generations of a family might live in these small quarters.

Delhi is, perhaps, not for the faint of heart. But it is a fun experience for those who are will to brave it.