Delhi

After about 10 hours in the car to and from Agra I was exausted. The bumpy roads, shocking views of people living in extreme poverty, and pollution that seeped into our car made me physically ill when we got home. Needless to say, I needed a relaxing trip to Delhi. 

We went to Lodi Park (Delhi's Green lung) first. It is similar to Central Park but is more Indian

 in its vegetation. With palm trees and tropic flowers, it was one of the prettiest places I visited yet. In the middle of the park there were two temples that looked like ruins from South America (pictured right). As India does not have the funds to maintain all of their ancient artifacts, these sit open to the public. You can explore inside and even climb on the roof of some. They are almost magical in how forgotten and unasuming they are. How incredible would it be if we had ruins in our parks? 

Apart from the beautiful green scenery The other thing I noticed was that there were TONS of couples sitting around the park. In the first scenes of affection I have seen being here in India between a man and a woman. Men here are very affectionate with one another. They hold 

hands and put their arms around each other as they walk. It seems odd in a country we would consider to be more religious than America that men would be able tobe affectionate but couples can't even hold hands. There were couples in this park hiden among trees and behind bushes. Their colorful outfits give them away though (seen left). After strolling out of the park I got some ice cream from a vendor. With all the couples kissing and the pretty scenery, I felt like I was in Paris. Sigh...

We went to the Gandhi Memorial Museum next. This is the site where Gandhi was assasinated. It is a very modest tribute to Gandhi- unassuming and no entrance fee. You begin the tour where Gandhi left his bedroom window for his daily prayer. Cement foot print molds lead you down the path to where he sat to hold prayer his last prayer before being assasinated (pictured right).

Along the path there are inspirational quotes from Gandhi. Everything this man said was gold! We saw his room he spent his last 144 days and then saw his belongings he left behind- about 9 things. He surely is an inspirational figure and shows us all how one person can make a difference in the world.

We finally went for lunch. Our driver recommended the Imperial hotel. We walked into the hotel and I felt like I was in the Belagio in Las Vegas. The air was scented with Jasimin. It was bright and beautifully decorated. I read in my guide book tht it was one of the nicest hotels in all of Asia- I believe it. We ate some italian food- the first I have had since coming here. I was delighted to eat a salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (the salad bar at work does not really use much lettus and offers you ketchup, mayo, and thousand island as your dressing choices). We also had a basket of fresh baked breads and olive oil. I had also not had olive oil in FOREVER, I missed the rich buttery taste of a quality olive oil so much. My good cholestoral thanked me as most foods here are cooked in ghee (melted butter). I got some pasta with pesto and tomato sauce on it. I really was in heaven. After my brush with Delhi belly the night before and a week of feeling ill, I could not eat much but in 

the room that smelled like Jasimine as I held the tast of olive oil and garlic in my mouth I was so 

happy.

We left new Delhi and went to old Delhi. I was back in the mobs of people in India. The streets were crowded with vendors selling books. Bomb blasts had frequented this area so I did not want to get out of our car and shop around. We went to the Red Fort. This fort is significant because it was the first place that the Indian flag was raised after their independence in 1948. It was in ruins too but showed where the leaders of the land used to allow the public to view them and would meet with advisors. With these forts, it is almost like they are ship wrecks under water- still preserved but you have to use your imagination to fill in the broken wall and return the jewels the Persians looted (you can see the jewlels that were popped out of the wall at the fort- a floral design that no longer has the stones that gave it its color). 

By the time we got home, dinner was ready. and my throat was already soar. The pollution is terrible here. The next morning I woke up to plugged ears and a swollen throat. Go Green!