Markets, Mosque & Metro

An early start - 7.00am - so that we could get to a place in South Delhi for breakfast. Another chance to experience the Indian Metro!

We walked for hours today . . . . . . streets and streets of people going about their everyday business - bathing, sitting, selling, making, talking, building, begging, carrying, pushing, smoking . . . . but whatever a western mind conjures up for these words is unlikely to be anything like it actually was.

Along then to Jama Masjid - Delhi’s oldest mosque. I've noticed on several occasions since being in India how the sexes are treated or regarded differently - seperate lines for security at the metro, far fewer women out and about, disproportionately small numbers of women in college groups that are out together. The mosque was another example - to enter the mosque women had to wear a full body 'tunic' whilst the men simply had to cover their legs. Inside the mosque was an area for praying which women weren't allowed in unless accompanied by a man.

Went to a Sikh temple and learned a little about the Sikhs. A very giving religion, they prepare food at the temple which is for anyone of any faith or denomination to come to the temple to eat. There are, of course, a lot of street people who take advantage of this. Any donations that are given to the Sikh temple are ploughed straight back into supporting and helping others. We had a chance to help the women roll some dough for chapatis. In the same kitchen , this chap was stirring what appeared to be a massive pot of curry of some sort. As an open faith the temple also accepts all faiths in to it for worship. We sat a while in the temple with a host of others and listened to some kirtan - very peaceful.

We had hoped to eat lunch at the Sikh temple but were a bit early so instead we walked a bit further on and stopped in at a small establishment in Chandi Chowk market. Flatbreads flavoured with a range of things (plain, cheese, dried fruit . . . . ) and side dips (coriander, banana, potato . . . .) yummy :)

After our market lunch we then spent some time at a spice sellers where we were treated to some very good teaching about the use of spices in Indian cooking and also about Indian tea. I left with a few packets of spices, masala and tea (which we were assured will be absolutely fine to take through NZ customs when I head back home) My lunchbox is going to look and taste a bit different after this trip I think!

A group of us decided to take our chance on the Metro and head to Hauz Khas village for a look around. We navigated to the correct station very easily then began what should have been about a 1km walk to the village. Hmmmmmm! Ask 5 locals and get 5 different directions! We really did take the l-o-n-g way there but eventually made it. First stop - a fine bar for a long, cool beer!

The rest of the afternoon we did a little eating, a little drinking and a little mooching around the village shops which are very small, very select boutiquey type shops - a total contrast to our India experiences so far.

When we'd all run out of steam we decided that our journey back to the hotel should be by tuk-tuk and metro. Tuk-tuks were fine but the metro created some great hilarity. Lesson: when you think a carriage is full one good shove from the people at the back can generally add another 20 or more bodies to it. Standing upright then becomes a challenge as your feet get moved to one place and your body to another place - quite possibly not the same place! Other travellers armpits and the almost complete complete erosion of one's personal space were also a challenge. It was, nevertheless, a memorable experience.

We were on the go for a good 12 hours today - sleep will, I'm sure, come very easily. An even earlier start tomorrow - 5.00am meeting so that we can catch the 6.00am train to Agra. Taj Mahal - here I come!