New Delhi, India
Pulling the curtains apart to let the sun in, revealed parrots on our window sill. Four of them waddling about like pigeons were the cutest way to start our first day in New Delhi, India. Later, I asked the travel desk employee at the hotel for a taxi to the Red Fort, but he suggested I book an all day driver and guide to see several tourist sights. This turned out to be a very good recommendation.
The car pulled away into a mass of traffic that creates lanes by edging over and honking loud horns. Tuk Tuks, motorcycles, and vehicles all share the same roads, often passing people leisurely standing on the side until they see their chance to walk...yes, walk across at no ones mental or physical peril. Roundabouts could have cows grazing or toddlers playing. Once in Old Delhi, we rented a bicicle taxi because cars are not allowed on the smaller streets near a few of the sights. It's open aired so a bit dusty on the eyes, but a lot of fun even amongst the chaos. This is the point, I felt I could take in the feel of the culture. We passed large sacks rolled down to display all of the bright orange and pink flowers for sale on the left and toys lined up in a row for sale on the right.
Soon we were stopped and walking up to Jama Masjid, a mosque built in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. Fierce and I had to change into slippers and I had to wear a robe over my clothes. It is a vast, flat marble platform opposite a beautiful building. In the past, one of the gates was accessible only for the Emperor. From the public gate, you look out over a sea of vendors' tent roofs almost braided into one another. Our guide asked us to tip a gentlemen for watching our shoes and then led us down into the bazaar area. I bought some Masala for potatoes from a spice stall and some mango tea as well. He also showed us two different street food vendors that had been in business since the 1870's. Usually I would have wanted more time to stroll a market, but it was quite fulfilling to walk by a cow, cross the street once and meander past stalls of temple goods, candies and man selling lassa from the back of his bike.
The Red Fort was the main event for today and it was up next! After all the excitement of the morning, it was nice to simply walk around the grounds and take pictures of the red sandstone buildings with their intricately carved architecture. We even sat for a second to drink some water and escape the heat. On our way out, Fierce bought a little Goku keychain from one of the many stalls in the little alcoves of the entry hall.
We saw the Ghandi memorial after this. Throngs of school boys in different uniforms walked along with us through the very large lawn to the monument. A large black marble platform rests under decorations of flowers and a flame is lit as well to mark the passing of such a great man. As we were waiting for our driver to bring the car around a really sweet moment occured. The school boys about Fierce's age noticed him from their bus and stuck their heads out to talk to him: What's your name? Where are you from? and so on, to which Fierce responded and asked them the same. Momentary friends.
Our driver arrived and we were off to Humayun's Tomb built by Empress Bega Begum for her husband in 1558 and was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. There are a few ruins along the path before you reach the tomb. They were homes for the builders and a photographer's dream location. Soon, we came to a long straight pool of water that leads your eye through the garden up to the Monument. This Palace entombs many of the Mughal family members and is made of red sandstone. As we climbed the stairs, I joked with Fierce that we were nearing an undefined slope. He and the tourists behind me laughed. At the top, you can visit the many tombs in rounded coves off the main hall which is where the Emperor rests. The temperature is cool inside which adds a stark contrast to the outer world and a reverence or quiet seems to wash over everyone as they enter.
Afterwards, I bought a much needed cold coffee for my very jetlagged bones. Fierce downed an icy Fanta and we were off to Lodi Gardens. Trails surround a main beautifully ornate building. The park is very green and the lawn a little worn, drawing your eye to a row of very tall flowers just in front of the building by a park bench. The yellows and pinks jut out of the ground almost proclaiming, "Here we are!" Triumphantly representing color all by themselves. Later we saw the Lotus Temple from afar in it's grandness, but it was these flowers from Lodi Garden that symbolized New Delhi for me. It is a big and bustling city. One cannot even look up and see the sun from the smog. However, it has a rich and beautiful culture of many colors and very kind people.
On the way back we stopped at a Sari shop and had chai while I picked out the most beautiful fabric. It is a deep purple edged with a panel of tiny embroidered flowers. Then a tailor took my measurements and they had it sewn and set to be delivered to my hotel the next day. It was a really fun experience.
Back at the hotel, Fierce said it was pool time! We absolutely enjoyed ending our day cooling off and absorbing all that we saw. What a totally new adventure.
