Day 15 in India: Today was another full day of Indian experiences. First up was a fun cooking demonstration arranged by one of our AIIS leaders. It was held at their guest house and was led by a sweet woman named Amrit. The five of us learned about Indian spices (some spices are used more in the winter to warm you up and some are used more in the summer to cool you down). Then we learned how to make Matar Paneer, Toor Dal and vegetable pulao and how to make paneer. Paneer is a yummy cheese that our group really enjoyed.
It was a lovely demonstration and the best part was we got to savor all of them when the class was over. It was fun to be able to spend some personal time with Amrit as well as Purnima our host. They are both lovely and generous women.
We had a private driver for the day, so from the guest house we went to a historic fort that housed the emperors for almost 200 years during the Mughal dynasty. It contained several beautiful structures that incorporated inlay work similar to that like we saw yesterday at the Taj Mahal. We were able to take photos here, so I tried to capture a few pic for you, but they don’t do the art work justice. Each flower is several hand-carved pieces that are crafted individually then applied to areas chiseled out specific to each individual shape and sanded down after being organically glued in. It’s crazy the amount of work went into these structures and from a quick glance, it’s so easy to miss all the extra details. It’s really quite stunning how it all comes together. Definitely Interesting to walk around this historic area.
From there we walked a few blocks to old Delhi, founded in 1639. Holy cow was that an experience. These old buildings and thousands of vendors that shrink up already small alley make up a labyrinth of sights and smells and sounds, all canopied by trellises of old electrical wires rippling overhead tying everything together in a wild maze. We got appropriately lost in the Chandni Chowks chaotic bustle of people and shops. I totally get why the amazing race has challenges in old market areas like this. The alleys weave in and out and around and narrow and split off and the buildings are so close you can’t see any identifying landmarks. It was crazy, but also pretty cool to experience first hand.
It was so busy though that it was easy to get separated as people forged in between us quite frequently, so we only stopped to try and let others pass so we could walk single file all together again. We didn’t even stop to shop because it was so crazy and we knew we’d lose each other so we just kept walking and watching, taking it all in.
Somehow we managed to find a path back out to a larger alley, that led to a larger road, that led to the main road we recognized as the one we come in on. We started heading back and sure enough soon saw the red fort in the distance. We had to get back to the fort as that is where our driver was waiting. When we got in the vehicle, it was noted that the gps had tracked us as walking over 7 miles already that day. Crazy!
As 3 of the 5 of us were flying out that evening, and people had rupees they needed to spend, a request was made to go to a store recommended at lunch for a little shopping and I think we all picked up at least a little something to bring home.
The traffic was crazy as it typically is in the evenings. The 3 lanes drawn on the road quickly become 6 or 7 lanes of traffic all weaving in and out and within inches of each other. It amazes me that we don’t see more accidents as space is fluid and if there’a an inch, someone is going to take it (from any direction). Lines don’t mean anything and people often go into on coming traffic assuming they other guy coming at you will slow down enough for you to make it around the car you’re passing. Meanwhile, you’re honking to let the car in front of you know you’re passing and the car behind you is honking because they want your old spot or to go in front of you, and people are cutting in front if you from the side while an incoming motorcycle wants to merge into the three inches in front of your right tire and the rear bumper of the bus coming in from the left and the tuk tuk that’s trying to do a u- turn to head the other direction cutting 4 lanes off in doing so.
Somehow we managed to make it back to the hotel in time for the others to do one last run to the store, reclaim their checked bags and catch their ride to the airport. I stayed with them to give them a proper Minnesota goodbye (hugs by the car and waves as they take off) then went up to my room where I ended my day with room service pizza and checking in on my online classes. Phew!
It’s down to just two of us (one guy had to leave early because his mom was in the hospital) and only about 24 hours left. Tonight’s my last night in a hotel bed, (well and one nights sleep coming up tomorrow night on the plane). Take off is scheduled for 11:45 pm tomorrow, so should be able to get one more journal post in. Thanks for sticking with me!
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