The Park Hotel, New Delhi, India
Wednesday after a hearty buffet breakfast at the hotel, we met to bus to the Jama Masjid Mosque. It is the largest mosque in India, the Friday mosque, constructed by Shah Jahan about 1638. We took off our shoes inside. There was a large area filled with bird seed and flocks of pidgeons would gather until children would delight in running among them and they would fly away.
We took a rickshaw ride through the Chandni Chowk Bazaar. The streets kept getting narrower and narrower. The electric lines were a tangle and filled the skyline there were so many. Each store had about 50 sq ft. and someone was always in the doorway talking on the phone and others watching the people passing by. There were actual customers. I don't know how anyone could tell what to buy. there would be shop after shop after shop of colorful saris, or a whole street of bracelets. I was amazed that our rickshaw was able to get through the alleys and allow for another rickshaw in the opposite direction as well as pedestrian shoppers and maybe a scooter or two. It was a thoroughly enjoyable ride, a delight to all the senses.
Bicycle rickshaw ride
Next we visited Raj Ghat, the beautiful garden area where Ghandi was cremated. There is an eternal flame and a raised walkway all around. Others were also honored there in this large grassy lawn with flowers and plants. It was very peaceful, simple, and beautiful.
We walked from our hotel through the Connaught Place area which has exclusive stores and restaurants. The restaurant was very nice. they served an Indian meal with many courses, and we did not have to make any decisions about what to order. Everything was delicious. Several people had never eaten Indian food before it seemed.
There are pidgeons roosting on the ledge of our hotel room window. We can hear and see fireworks in the distance, sometimes two or three displays. This is wedding season. We saw a horse carriage used for the man to arrive at the wedding, but it was just crossing the road.
No comments:
Post a Comment