Letters from Nepal II

Monday, July 7, 2014

Sunday here in Delhi was again very hot and humid. We spent the majority of the day visiting local historical sites such as Gandhi's tomb, the red fort, as well as a beautiful temple built in the 1600s. 

The stone work and masonry on all that we have seen is amazing. We have managed to get a few photos. Unfortunately we all look a bit wilted from the heat and humidity. Foreigners are easy to see with their red sweaty faces.

It was great to travel in the morning yesterday as most things are closed so travelling was fluid and smooth. Due to the congestion of people, bikes, scooters, motorbikes, buses, people and the odd animal it takes a good hour to travel anywhere. By the evening traffic is at a standstill, congested and noisy.


Haunamuns Tomb

We managed to see and take in some sites and today was more of an immersion into the Indian culture. There are many people who do beg at the stoplight. Usually it is a family. The mother will sit at the side of the road as she sends her children to knock on windows and motion with their hands that they are hungry. The kids are really persistent and have sad, large eyes and dirty clothes and faces. We are told that the kids will not go to school but do this for a living. If you give to one child, your car is surrounded by a group within minutes. It is hard not to give.

We took a rickshaw ride into the older parts of Delhi. Here the laneways were narrow, somewhat dirty and various smells drifted by as the driver miraculously maneuvered around people, carts and wares. 

What we have come to realize is that here in Delhi people's lives are so intermingled, so life is lived literally in the streets and alleyways. Food is purchased, produce chosen, barbers shaving, while sadhus sit in prayer in the street. It is quite amazing really. It is also miraculous that more pedestrians are not hurt and that collisions do not occur. Driving is something that really needs your attention as cars turn, zoom in and out without hesitating. The fellow who has been driving us around tells us that the life of an Indian is cheap. Tents and makeshift homes are strewn along the sides as people find some bit of land to squat and live upon, carve out an existence and try to live.


Sadhu praying in the street

Food has continued to be great. We went to a spice and tea shop. We were told by the owners who are tea
growers that there is no such thing as decaf tea. The only tea that may be lighter in caffeine is white tea. This
was a bit of an eye opener for the ladies who purchase decaf tea.

Last night we had a great deal of fun trying to learn belly dancing, Punjab dancing, Bollywood and Gunag. I
think the people who run the dance academy were quite shocked when we walked in as they are used to a
younger crowd. The belly dancing was the hardest to learn as we could not shake the parts we were suppose
to and the parts that shook were more due to gravity then talent.

Today we pack up to leave towards Jaipur. It is a 6 hour drive … not sure what to expect but so far it has been
a wonderful experience.

Everyone has been fine health-wise and no one has received the Delhi Belly bug.

Appreciate the blessings we have in our lives.