Delhi...again

So I'm back in Delhi. I have to say it's a little more endearing the second time around. I've been spending my time skipping about town visiting bazaars and markets, temples and tombs. Khan market, Main Bazaar, Palika Bazaar, have all been fun shopping expeditions. The persistence of vendors and touts is irritating at times but it's all part of the game and the experience of being in India. I've been sorting out my wardrobe so that I don't look like a complete sloth when I hit Europe. I'm looking foward to dressing up a little more, and going out to some posher places.

Humayun's tomb, a mausoleum built to hold the Mughal emperor Humayun's corpse for eternity, was beautiful. I've developed a passion for Mughal architecture (the most famous example being the Taj Mahal), and art, so strolling around this site was pretty fascinating. I also enjoyed the National Museum, that has a whole section dedicated to Indian art, in particular the miniature paintings of the Mughal period. They were just gorgeous.

bazaars and markets, temples and tombs

The Bahai temple or Lotus temple as locals call it, was a little surreal. Shaped like a pure white, unfurling lotus it actually reminded me a little of the Sydney Opera House. The vaulted ceiling inside with its nine-pointed lotus inlay was magic, but overall the temple was very minimalist and a little bland compared to the riotous colours and carvings of the Hindu and Buddhist temples I've seen.

I'm staying in an area of Delhi called Paharganj this time (last time it was Karol Bagh) and I've gotta say though it's centrally located it's a filthy, fly-infested suburb. It doesn't help that it has rained while I've been here and the road, which is really just a potholed bit of tarmac covered with layers of dirt and cow shit, has been reduced to a sloppy, muddy bog. The flies are as persistent as the street vendors around here.

Aaaanyway Asia is almost done and dusted. I head to Italy in a couple of days.