On arrival at Delhi, airport staff and customs officers working late into the night were very helpful; everything went smoothly on our way out to be warmly greeted with garlands by our host and driver. Driving from the airport to the hotel was quite an experience; tuktuks, scooters, motorbikes, cars, bicycles, buses and trucks all weaving in and out 4/5 abreast in a 2 lane road inching their way forward. And not one sign of road rage.
Amid all the chaos, noise, colours, smells and the smog, Delhi life goes on; we both love it, mostly the people, their warmth, smiles and endeavours to make a living is very touching and moving. I must admit, I was apprehensive coming here to touch base with my culture but those fears have evaporated. The day started with a visit to The Gandhi Smitri (place where he spent the last 14 days of his life); was overcome with emotion, yet sensed and felt calmness and at peace; what a human being. This was followed by doing some shopping in the street markets; the photos (will be sent shortly) do not do justice to the smells, colour, chaos, and the beautiful people. Bargained like Pratik advised but never lost sight of being fair ( what we Aussies would say Fair Go).
The afternoon/evening was spent visiting The Gurudwara, a place of worship for the Sikh people and
what a place! Colourful, crowded, lively yet had a calmness for worshippers. Everyone has to cover their heads with a turban or some garment including us (don’t laugh when you see us in the photos). Anyone idependant of race or religion can get a free feed there and what a feed; we walked through the kitchen full of volunteers cooking for the masses waiting to be fed; even Ursi got stuck into helping with rollin the dough for the chapatis. As a matter of fact, the whole place is Maned by volunteers with the food bought with donors. Truly inspirational. Even saw some cyclists but alas they ride for function ie carrying goods.....and family’s, mum, dad and 2 kids on motorbikes. Ended the day on high note with a superb meal, Rahthani. Special mention of our driver, Girridhar not only is he skilled to drive in the chaos on the roads but also a lovely guy to boot.
Amid all the chaos, noise, colours, smells and the smog, Delhi life goes on; we both love it, mostly the people, their warmth, smiles and endeavours to make a living is very touching and moving. I must admit, I was apprehensive coming here to touch base with my culture but those fears have evaporated. The day started with a visit to The Gandhi Smitri (place where he spent the last 14 days of his life); was overcome with emotion, yet sensed and felt calmness and at peace; what a human being. This was followed by doing some shopping in the street markets; the photos (will be sent shortly) do not do justice to the smells, colour, chaos, and the beautiful people. Bargained like Pratik advised but never lost sight of being fair ( what we Aussies would say Fair Go).
The afternoon/evening was spent visiting The Gurudwara, a place of worship for the Sikh people and
what a place! Colourful, crowded, lively yet had a calmness for worshippers. Everyone has to cover their heads with a turban or some garment including us (don’t laugh when you see us in the photos). Anyone idependant of race or religion can get a free feed there and what a feed; we walked through the kitchen full of volunteers cooking for the masses waiting to be fed; even Ursi got stuck into helping with rollin the dough for the chapatis. As a matter of fact, the whole place is Maned by volunteers with the food bought with donors. Truly inspirational. Even saw some cyclists but alas they ride for function ie carrying goods.....and family’s, mum, dad and 2 kids on motorbikes. Ended the day on high note with a superb meal, Rahthani. Special mention of our driver, Girridhar not only is he skilled to drive in the chaos on the roads but also a lovely guy to boot.
Comments
Post a Comment