My last week in India and I'm spending most of it in Delhi. A chance to look at some of the main tourist sights (there are lots) see some of the bazaars (and try not to get ripped off!) and generally experience India's huge capital - Old and New!
To start with it felt totally overwhelming! With a population of 27.5 million, to Udaipur's 450,000 it is mega... and you feel it! There really is no comparison between the 2. I thought that having got used to Udaipur, I would not experience that feeling - how wrong can you get! It certainly never seems to sleep! My hotel is in Parhaganj a popular tourist area on the edge of old delhi and right by New Delhi railway station - and it comes to live around 3am every morning - having gone to sleep around 1am! It feels loud and incredibly chaotic - although the main bazaar didn't feel too scary once I braved it (it took me a couple of days!)
I tackled the red fort first and once inside ( foreigners pay extra everywhere!) it does feel much calmer and you can sneak off into quieter parts (Salimgarh is worth the time - just over the ring road)
The main gate is where the indian flag was raised for the first time - 15 August 1947.
To start with it felt totally overwhelming! With a population of 27.5 million, to Udaipur's 450,000 it is mega... and you feel it! There really is no comparison between the 2. I thought that having got used to Udaipur, I would not experience that feeling - how wrong can you get! It certainly never seems to sleep! My hotel is in Parhaganj a popular tourist area on the edge of old delhi and right by New Delhi railway station - and it comes to live around 3am every morning - having gone to sleep around 1am! It feels loud and incredibly chaotic - although the main bazaar didn't feel too scary once I braved it (it took me a couple of days!)
I tackled the red fort first and once inside ( foreigners pay extra everywhere!) it does feel much calmer and you can sneak off into quieter parts (Salimgarh is worth the time - just over the ring road)
The main gate is where the indian flag was raised for the first time - 15 August 1947.
The fort is a strange mixture, with a palace, mosque as well as old barracks that the British used (still there, now decaying) and there is still an Indian army contingent there. The museum has a lot to say about the struggle for independence from the british - I found it interesting and uncomfortable to see things from an Indian perspective.... In fact this has been true throughout my time - its always good to be taken out o your own culture - it helps you see a different view and illuminates some cultural blindspots.
There are some very beautiful details - inlaid marble, and what would have been beautiful fountains.
In its time there would have been an artificial stream running through the whole complex - now all that remains is the dry channels...
... sad reminders of what it once was. Well worth a visit.
It sounds as if you are having an absolutely fantastic time. Looking forward to hearing more about it.
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