Holy Cow! Its Delhi!

Today is day 1 in India, technically its day 3 but in Blogger-time it’s day 1.

India is intense, intense with a capital I. I had just exited New Delhi international airport and was welcomed by a thick cloud of perspiration. Through the opening of the motor rickshaw (and through my fogged up glasses!), Delhi presented itself to me. Delhi was exactly the way I imagined it but 10x more intense! Seeing the reality of the city, seemed to amplify every aspect of what I expected. The city wasn’t just “populated” it was crowded, chaotic and in some parts nearing on bedlam! The streets were dotted with long draped saris in variegated colors, mango covered street stalls and rushing school children; all accompanied to a boisterous symphony of “honks” and “beeeeeeeeeps!

We first visited Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a small Sikh temple near the centre of town. This temple of worship was built in 1783 ( yes I “wikipediaed” the temple) and is known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan. It is said that this guru blessed the sick during the smallpox and cholera epidemic with holy water (more like “holy sweat”, no pun intended :P ). – There will be a post up soon about this amazing temple!

After a few refreshing drinks (“few meaning five”, it was and still is so bloody hot!), we made our way to the nearby Connaught Place - the “Oxford St. of India”. The place and the pavement was covered in bookstores (score!), not only were they in English, they were cheap too! I was stocked up on sooo many books ( Lolita, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, God of Small Things , White Tiger , Freakonomics … etc.)! Any more suggestions? As for clothes… the place is desolate, unless you like to sport t-shirts with an Adidas logo (spelt A-D-A-I-D-A-s, with 5 striped instead of 3) or fake neon yellow crocs. :/

This pretty much sums up day one of Delhi, tomorrow I might post up day two (day four- real time), I hope all you readers are enjoying your summer vacation!

Little Frames xxxxxxxx