It’s been a while since I have woken up briefly forgetting where I am, which was how I woke up in my first morning in Delhi. Outside there was sound of sweet Indian music (the good stuff, with sitars and tablas). When I opened my eyes, the room was more peculiar than the usual Southeast Asia guesthouse style I have been used to for the last 5 months. I’m in India!
I had so much work to do leading up to this trip that my preparation involved cracking open a guide book for the first time on the flight. I noted the use of the phrase “assault of the senses” more than once in the book (bombardment is popular as well). I’m going to try and refrain from using that well worn cliche, even though it does describe India so well.
The thing with India is there is something going on everywhere. Take for example this laneway, which was my first daylight introduction to Delhi as I left the guesthouse. There is so much detail everywhere, that I just wanted to keep following the little lanes and to find out more.
[Laneway Shrine – Delhi]
New Delhi.
I started off in New Delhi. With its wide streets and grand government buildings, it is a gentle way to start off in this city. I didn’t plan it that way. I just went in that direction as I thought I would have a better chance of finding a mobile phone shop. I ended up at Gandhi Smriti, a museum and memorial in the grounds of the building where Gandhi was assassinated. The main house has photos and quotes from throughout his life. From the house you can follow Gandhi’s last footsteps to the place where he was shot.
[Gandhi’s Last Steps]
Old Delhi
Old Delhi contains the biggest tourist attractions in Greater Delhi, such as the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. What I like about Old Delhi is the market streets. Crowded roads filled with autorickshaws, horse and man drawn carts, trucks and bikes, all trying to find a place while dodging merchandise spilling out onto the road. This is where the “assault of the senses” phrase would be inserted.
[Old Delhi Spice Market]
Food
I love Indian food, so I am going to have no problem eating my way across India this month. This typical South Indian thali set meal cost 30 Rs ($0.65usd).
[Thali Set Meal]
India For a Month
I fly out of Kolkata in one month, and apart from aiming to visit the Taj Mahal and Varanasi, this trip is a see what happens along the way type of trip. My favourite kind.
Damn you.. eating good spicy Indian food. I miss it. 🙂 Looking forward to reading the rest of your journey (just with a ton of envy!).
hehe, thanks. I’m loving the Indian food 🙂
Ah, you just brought back my fond memories of India.
I remember walking through the spice market, particularly the chili market, and watching locals and travellers sneeze their way through the shops!
How was crossing the streets? For me, those were adventures in themselves – Om namah shivaya, please don’t run over my toes! 🙂
– Lily
Yes, crossing the street is certainly an art form. I’m looking out for my toes as well.