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Well here I am. I couldn't believe it when I landed into Dehli airport. The journey I'd been planning for months was finally on the way. The plane arrived early and baggage collection was quick. My uncle came to pick me up and as soon as I stepped outside the heat hit me. There was no AC in his car so it was a sweaty journey back to the house. The drive back was hectic. There was a constant beeping of horns and every man for himself on the road. There are no rules + everyone beliveves the road is his and if someone is in his way they beep for them, to move, regardless if there is somewhere to move to or not!
On the way home we got some take out samosas, as I was starving. Luckily my uncle's house has lots of fans and coolers to help with the heat. After eating I took a nap as I didn't sleep very well on the plane. I took it easy for the 1st day. Sightseeing begins tomorrow.
My uncle had to go to work for the morning of Sat, but he told to how to come meet him at his office to take me out and about. I had a lie in and then went to have a shower. There was no hot water! They don't have hot water baths or showers as the weather is hot most of the year round and the sun heats up the water enough for them. After brekkie I got a bus and then had to walk for abt 10 mins in the heat. The bus took ages as there was a build up of traffic. Rush hour in London is tame compared to the rush in Dehli. It's pure gridlock with lots of beeping. The bus journey gave me such a headache!
My uncle brought his scooter to work so I sat on the back of that while he drove. There was no helmet for me and he didn't have a mirror on his scooter. I have no idea how he was able to drive so well. He told me not to worry and that he is a safe driver and has many years of experience. It was very dusty on the roads so i wrapped my dupputta (head scarf) around my head and covered my face. Also that way I didn't have to watch how close my uncle was to certain vehicles, scary!
We went to the Lotus Temple (Bahai Mandir) and to see the Qutb Minar as these 2 sites are both on the outskirts of Dehli. The Lotus temple is callled that as it is shaped as such. It's a pretty white building, with nice gardens around it. People from all religions can come inside to meditate and pray. There has to be absolute silence inside the building.
The Qutb Minar is a minaret that shows Afghan architecture and was built at the time of Islamic rule. Work to build it began in 1193. It's a red sandstone building with ruins nearby of a mosque. An iron Pillar also stands nearby that still has not rusted.
I was knackered by the time we got home, still jet lagged. My aunt and my cousin arrived that evening, they had been in Punjab. We had a late dinner as they didn't arrive til 9.30pm abd we stayed up chatting about the family and my plans.
The next day was a busy one. Had the main sites of Old & New Dehli to cover. We started with New Dehli with the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum. It's all about her life from birth to death and concentrates particularly on her political career. There were a lot of newspaper clippings and photos on the walls. In a glass box the sari she wore on the day she was is shown, with the blood stains still there. In another room there is a lot of material on her son Rajiv who was also assassinated.
I was then shown the Parliament buildings and India Gate. The streets round these parts of Dehli are so clean and well kept, with flowers or grass around. When you get away from the main roads they are often dusty, bumpy not tarmaced and often water stands as there seems to be no drainage system.
We then went to Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple. I wanted to go and say a prayer. As it was Sunday it was hectic. We then went to Old Dehli and headed for the red Fort (Lal Qila) - A red sandstone building. Shah Jahan (the guy who built the Taj Mahal) built this impressive fort. It is huge and has several rooms, including royal baths and a throne room, where the emporers would address the people. It was built at the peak time of Mughal power in India. There was also a mosque within the complex.
After all this I was ready for home so only saw the Lakshmi Narayan Temple from the outside. On the way back it rained and I got quite cold on the scooter. So as soon as we reached home I asked for my cousin to boil some water so I could take a hot bath. She thought it was a strange request, but It was very much appreciated.
The next day I didn't do much except get connected to the mobile network and check emails. My aunt had 2 indian outfits made for me and I took photos of everyone. I also looked at their foto albums and I found some pohotos of me and my brothers when we were quite young. It was cool to see them.
It was nice to stay with family to be eased into the chaos of India and to eat some lovely home-cooked food.
previous travel blog entry
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