India’s capital is a frantic and frenzied city. Tuk-tuk drivers zip past scooters carrying families of four and dodge bicyclists as they search for fares or run down pedestrians; vendors line the streets selling everything from sweater vests to street food snacks like bhelpuri or pani puri; sweater-wearing farm animals meander along back alleys as well as main thoroughfares; even the Metro provides little respite from the chaos outside with surging rush hour crowds nearly crushing unsuspecting riders. As we explored this city of 17 million, smog filled our lungs and the smell of urine overwhelmed our nostrils, yet when we stopped to really take it all in, we found it was an unendingly entertaining place.
There is an interesting contrast between Old Delhi, with its narrow alleyways full of chaotic splendor, and New Delhi, the section of town built by the British, home to wide boulevards, covered arcades, and chain restaurants. We found Old Delhi more interesting, with its bazaars, hidden restaurants, and Mughal architecture but sought out New Delhi more than once for a little break.
Patrick was sick for part of our stay in Delhi, meaning we didn’t see as much of the city as we hoped, but we did still get to see some sights like the beautiful Mughal-style Humayun’s Tomb, the Jama Masjiid (India’s largest mosque), and the Rajpath (“kingsway”): a wide avenue that is home to Parliament, the President’s house, and India Gate. We also joined a walking tour run by the Salaam Balaak Trust, a non-profit that helps the city’s many homeless children. Our guide, a former “street kid” himself, talked in detail about the experiences that led him to run away from home and his life on the street. Another highlight was taking a cooking class in which we learned to make dal makhani (creamy lentils), chicken curry, and baingan bharta (eggplant)—one of our best meals in India!
Click on the photo below for our Delhi album.
There is an interesting contrast between Old Delhi, with its narrow alleyways full of chaotic splendor, and New Delhi, the section of town built by the British, home to wide boulevards, covered arcades, and chain restaurants. We found Old Delhi more interesting, with its bazaars, hidden restaurants, and Mughal architecture but sought out New Delhi more than once for a little break.
Patrick was sick for part of our stay in Delhi, meaning we didn’t see as much of the city as we hoped, but we did still get to see some sights like the beautiful Mughal-style Humayun’s Tomb, the Jama Masjiid (India’s largest mosque), and the Rajpath (“kingsway”): a wide avenue that is home to Parliament, the President’s house, and India Gate. We also joined a walking tour run by the Salaam Balaak Trust, a non-profit that helps the city’s many homeless children. Our guide, a former “street kid” himself, talked in detail about the experiences that led him to run away from home and his life on the street. Another highlight was taking a cooking class in which we learned to make dal makhani (creamy lentils), chicken curry, and baingan bharta (eggplant)—one of our best meals in India!
Click on the photo below for our Delhi album.
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