With one more full day left in India, we definitely wanted to see more of the city. We took the Delhi Metro… Delhi’s version of the Chicago ‘El’ but much more modern :). Leaving the Janakpuri district, we arrived in city center (Rajiv Chowk stop) in about 20 minutes and set off on what we thought would be our walking tour of Delhi.
We surfaced from the subway right next to a street bazaar, with vendors and hawkers of all varieties. We’d experienced street markets before but this was a whole new category of crowds, sights, sounds and smells. It was a novel and “India-esque” experience but we had lots of sightseeing to do so we didn’t linger.
After getting our bearings, we started walking towards India Gate… one of the Delhi Landmarks. The walk was longer than we thought (things always look so close on a map!) and finally gave in to one of the many rickshaw drivers offering rides. He wanted 10 rupees to India Gate (about 20 cents) which sounded good to us considering how hot it was. Once arriving, the rickshaw driver, Sandeep, offered to take us around all day for 300 rupees (about $7)… not bad to ride in style all day. :)
Our rickshaw driver, Sandeep
He continued to take us to Rash Trapati (the presidential palace), Parliament, the site of Ghandi’s assasination, Muhammad Shah’s Tomb, Safdar Jung’s tomb and Lodi Gardens. Definitely a whirlwind tour of central Delhi but fun nonetheless.
Sandeep dropped us off at the metro station, but not before arranging to drive us to the airport the next morning. We were sad to say goodbye to India but looking forward to the change of pace that Nepal would offer.
Gates to Presidential Palace (palace in background)
Site of Gandhi's assassination
Safdarjang’s Tomb
Muhammad Shah’s Tomb (next to Lodi Gardens)
No comments:
Post a Comment