Athletes soak in sun, music at Games Village (Games Snippets)

NEW DELHI - From a leisurely walk in the autumn sun to foot-tapping music at dance rehearsals, many of the 2,000 athletes and officials already in the Commonwealth Games Village find they have a lot to soak in at the international zone.

Most overseas athletes love the September sun in Delhi and the slight nip in the air as they walk around the sprawling Village. The colourful dance rehearsals draw a number of them. The music lends a carnival-like touch.

Indian handicrafts show rooms at the zone is also attracting many athletes.

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Clock starts now

A journalist is given only 45 minutes in the Games Village to meet international players. The countdown begins the moment you are handed a green card in lieu of the Games accreditation card.

It’s literally a fight against time as you speak to the players while also trying to absorb the surroundings.

The influx of players only whets your appetite for more interviews, but before long a gentle tap reminds you that it’s time to go.

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CWG cavalcade in a jam

Thanks to the CWG lanes in the city, commuters are getting stuck in jams for hours. The scene was no difference on Safdarjung Road in the heart of the capital, but this time it was a CWG cavalcade that got caught in traffic at an intersection leading to Ashoka Hotel.

There was a long queue of vehicles in the left lane and some impatient commuters moved to the right lane and as they were waiting for the green signal, more than 25 police vehicles lined up behind them — the sirens blared, the traffic policemen desperately tried to clear the mess - but in vain.

The road cleared up only after coming to a standstill for 10 minutes.