Old Delhi - Where Things Get Lively

January 9, 2024

Waking up Day 3, I felt like I was finally on India time. Mary needed a bit more caffeine, then we met our affable driver Purdeep and the inscrutable Sanjit, our Delhi guide, in the courtyard. Time to find out what Old Delhi could show us.
First stop: Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mohandas Gandhi at the site of his funeral pyre. Sanjit filled us in on Gandhi's life and career promoting non-violence in fighting for justice and self-determination. If you - like me - have wondered which is his correct first name, Gandhi was often called Mahatma, meaning "Great Soul."

He was assassinated in 1948 by Hindu nationalists angry about Indias' partition into Hindu and Muslim states when independence from Britain was gained in 1947. 

Posing awkwardly 
Mary enjoyed this one, especially for her granddaughters.

Next stop: Jama Maskid (mosque)
We've definitely been treated to a diverse sampling of religious sites in Delhi, including this beautiful mosque which women can't enter without first donning a hideous garment resembling a colorful tent. Are we not the image of 60+ women who might tempt men to impure thoughts?
Our fellow female visitors were equally unamused by this requirement. Note that my fabric most resembled my grade school friend's great-aunt  Mimi's housecoat.

The group below tried to refuse the proffered garments but were absolutely not allowed past the gate without accepting their fate. Mary noticed that they'd somehow managed to snag matching tents. They looked ready to burst into song and dance for their music video.
After shedding our festive coveralls and sneaking out one of the ancient gates, it was time for the next adventure: a bicycle rickshaw ride through the Chandi Chowk Bazaar.

Greece has its cats everywhere; Delhi has its dogs.
This woman astounded me. 
Seriously? These wires?


So many colors!


We'd made it to the James Bond movie! Speeding through narrow alleys. Tangles of wires overhead. Shops full of colorful wares and carts piled high with sacks of spices blocking intersections. People balancing impossibly heavy loads on their heads. Will the rickshaw make it through? Yesss!!! We live to tell the tale!


Next:  up close and personal with the spice market. Old Delhi, Part Two and more pics to follow.

- Christine 


Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2024 at 10:36 AM

    Christine! So Excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HeidiJanuary 9, 2024 at 6:34 PM

    Great photos. The colors and action must be overwhelming. I’d love to experience it. Keep on posting!

    ReplyDelete
  3. SueJanuary 10, 2024 at 2:48 AM

    It absolutely does look like a scene from a Bond movie! Those tent garments, yikes!! The colors of India are amazing! I was surprised to see you wearing coats. I guess I expected heat in India. Can’t wait to see part 2 of Old Delhi! I always love seeing your smiling faces, no matter where you are in the world!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2024 at 9:32 AM

    The mosque was definitely beautiful! Your cover-ups,well... The wires, oh my! Your adventures together are so informative and fun. Thanks girls♥️

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2024 at 3:48 PM

    Hey its your brother. Quite an adventure! Love the posts!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMarch 10, 2024 at 10:58 AM

    Vibrant photos. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

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