My Gate To India

The flight from Newark to Delhi was long but I was so grateful that it was direct that I refuse to complain. The transfer taxi was waiting at the airport. I couldn’t see much of Delhi because it was night.

The next day I commissioned a private car for the day ($22) and explored the city. The first stop was The India Gate:

The India Gate is a memorial to war heroes and is located at the end of a long wide boulevard opposite the parliament and government buildings.

I can’t go any further without giving a report on the absolute insane traffic and drivers in this amazing city. The scene is like a setting for a gigantic speedway of “bumper cars”. Millions of auto rickshaws, trucks, buses and cars jockey shamelessly for superior positions with everybody tooting their horns. A two lane road may have five vehicles across. Constantly, I thought we were destined for a crash or going to add to the multiple dents on our taxi or cars in our way. I have been having nightmares about the many pedestrians we tried to kill. Add a little rain to this craziness then sit back and enjoy the ride:

My first stop was to Quwwat ul Islam Mosque. This is the earliest extant mosque in India built in A.D. 1193. The ruins are still beautiful and the tallest stone structure in all of India is on these grounds:

Next stop was the Lotus Temple which is a Baha’i House of Worship. Built in 1986 for $10 million the temple seeks to propagate the oneness of theAlmighty and is open to everyone. It is massive and very majestic:

I have found my favorite lunch food–Dal Makani–a delicious lentil dish like bean soup that is just right for dipping fresh cooked Naan. Lunch with coke or water is about $2.50:

Friday night I met my group. Three lovely young ladies about thirty something. Two from England and an Irish lassie. Two will be with me for the entire 54 days. Our guide “JD” is a local from Delhi who is very friendly and helpful.

Saturday we started with a walking tour and then went to the largest mosque in India–Jama Masjid. Only about 15% of the population of India is Muslim. (80% Hindi) May years of conquest has resulted in beautiful Islamic architecture:

I only got to see the famous Red Fort from afar. I will have two more days in Delhi during my visit and I will tour it then:

Delhi is wild and packed full of people. There is constant noise, streets and alleys snake through the city and lots of garbage pretty much everywhere. Constant stimulation and “eye candy”. It’s fun to read the signs and billboards that are in English.

Saturday evening we took our first train ride north to Amritsar. After another death defying auto rickshaw ride from the train station we made it to our hotel where we would stay for two nights.

My introduction to Incredible India has been a success and I am all ready for more adventures and delights. (And food)