Old Delhi
an exercise in sensory overlad
09.03.2008 - 09.03.2008
Old Delhi was built between 1638 and 1648 by Shah Jahan. The Red Fort and Jama Masjid are the focal point of Old Delhi, and the surrounding area is full of narrow lanes packed to the gills with all different types of wares for sale. 
Walking through these winding bazars is a complete head trip—it is virtually impossible for anyone who hasn't been there to fully understand. The streets are packed with people, shoulder to shoulder. 
Vendors and shops line both sides of the streets, in which you can find everything imaginable...for example,there are entire streets that sell nothing but sugars, or others that just sell different types of ball bearings. 
There is so much to experience at once, it is indescribable...cows walking through the crowds, people bathing and urinating in the streets, rickshaws, bikes, and motor scooters plowing through the crowds, kids playing, monkeys, honking horns, people yelling and pushing, enormously crazy bundles of cables and wires that is the electric system, the feeling that you are taking your life into your hands every time you want to cross the street....it is an exercise in sensory overload to say the least—like walking straight through some bizarre National Geographic dream. It was very exciting! 
The photos and video clip on this page attempt to capture the feeling of being there, but in all honesty they don't do it justice.
After walking for a while and eating some of the most amazing Indian food I've ever tasted, including Tandoori chicken, 
Limka (a citrus soda drink) and Brain Curry (yes, I ate goat brains....and they were fabulous; I almost ordered a second helping!)
we headed to Jama Masjid, or the Friday mosque. It is the largest mosque in India. 
We removed our shoes and walked inside, which is expansive and breathtaking and has birds of all sorts soaring overhead. Unfortunately, I have no photos of this because of the camera fee...but I will go back to photograph it another time. We were shooed out of the mosque because it was nearing sunset, and the prayers were about to begin...so no women or non-Muslims were allowed to stay. This mosque is what you see at the beginning of the video clip on this page.
We then walked to the Red Fort, which is sprawling and made primarily of red sandstone—hence the name. 
It was built by Shah Jahan and contains his opulent marble palace and residency within. 
Those buildings are highly ornamented and flanked by verdant green lawns on which the people of Delhi enjoy relaxing today. 
This trip to Old Delhi was exhausting, and I still only saw a fraction of it. I'm sure I will have a few more adventures in this part of town during my stay—I'll keep you posted.
Posted by stephstump 10.03.2008 03:53 Archived in India
What a departure from the solitude of your residency! Energizing in some sense, I'm sure...but I can also see the exhaustion it must inflict. Incredible, nonetheless. I'm glad you ate that goat brain & are allowing us all to take some small part in your journey. FANKS GURL!! keep on Keepin on!
11.03.2008 by caregurl