Three Days of Delhi

by Dale Miller

Humayun's Tomb

This tomb was built for Humayun, the second Mughal emper­oro. The Mughals were respons­ible for build­ing many of the monu­ments found in Northern India, includ­ing the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.

As you might expect, our past three days in Delhi have been pretty excit­ing. We’ve been amazed with all of the con­trasts in this complex culture, and are slowly getting used to the way things work.

While waiting for the wedding on Friday we’ve had a chance to get a good look at most of Delhi’s famous sites, and got a full rundown on Northern India’s history from our guide Manju and driver Kimi. These sites are all amazing and rep­res­ent the fab­ulous wealth that India has had over the centuries.

Hot Step

With tem­per­at­ures reach­ing 43 degrees the ground tends to get a little hot. You’re required to remove your shoes when enter­ing a Mosque (and most other sites where respect is shown), but they kindly set out cloth paths for you to walk on.

The Qutub Minas was started by the first Muslim ruler of india in the 1100s. The iron pillar in the fore­ground is over 1600 years old and remains uncor­roded. Something very inter­est­ing to science types.

Gandhi's Last Steps

These foot­prints mark the last steps Mohandas Gandhi took before being shot to death in 1948, just 6 months after India won its independence.

We’ve also had the chance to walk the streets a bit and check out the markets. On our first day I was amazed at how “untouristy” these bazaars were... then came day two.

This street vendor is selling paan, which is a mixture con­tain­ing betel leaf and tobacco. You also find this stuff in little pack­ages at shops along the roads.

Snack Shop

Food vendors like this one are all over the place.

Cat Nap?

A vendor taking a break before the bazaar gets too busy.

Stone Bread

This man is making roti bread by stick­ing the dough inside a round clay oven.

Crossed Wires

This wiring is pretty typical of what’s found in Old Delhi. When folks need elec­tri­city for their homes they just tap into the main line and take it. Notice the elect­ical engin­eer shop in the background.

Then came Day Two when our tour guide took us to see the “best places for the deals” where we met the hard-sell professionals.

Want to Buy a Carpet?

My folks playing along with a carpet sales­man. The shtick these guys have is pretty amazing.

On Day Three we found a mall, which was pretty weird con­sid­er­ing the fam­il­ies we passed that were living on the side­walks are making roughly $20 a day. Huge gap between the rich and the poor in India.

A Mall?

After three days in the streets of Delhi we were pretty shocked to find this very western mall.

Getting around town has been very inter­est­ing. I’m still trying to take a photo that comes close to cap­tur­ing how truly insane the traffic and drivers are here.

The Face of Danger

A rare (and dan­ger­ous) glimpse at stopped traffic at one of the few traffic lights we’ve seen so far.

Elephant Highway

We saw this ele­phant walking down the freeway.

Getting Around

These pedal trikes are all over the place and are a good, cheap form of transportation.

Even when they’re trying to sell you some­thing, the people here are very friendly and laid back.

Another guy taking a nap, this one wasn’t a vendor though I don’t think.

Young Hindu

The Indians are a very col­our­ful bunch and make some cute kids. It’s cus­tom­ary for Hindu chil­dren to wear a dark paste under their eyes like this little guy.

Made in the Shade

These fam­il­ies are taking a break in the shade of a tree.

Well, that’s it for now. I have a new found respect for all of the work Chris and Laura have been doing for their site! All photos are by myself and my mom, Margie. At this point I’m not sure which ones are which!

We’re expect­ing my sister Dana to arrive some­time tonight from Europe (the air­ports appear to be open and flying now so fingers crossed), then we’ve got the wedding tomor­row and are heading to Jaipur on Saturday. Exciting Stuff!

/dale

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