New Delhi, India

After months of planning and anticipation I’m finally in New Delhi, India.  It was very surreal as I explored the city on my first day but this could also be attributed to jet lag.  There are so many people in this city it can be overwhelming at times.  The personal space I’m used to in America is nonexistent but I’m sure I will adapt.  It’s always an adventure being thrown into a foreign land and hitting the ground running.  This is exactly what I’ve been doing for the past 3 days.

One of the first things I noticed as I left the airport is the very distinct aroma in New Delhi.  One word cannot describe the many foreign smells that accosts the nose because it has to be attributed to an array of things.  Cattle and dogs roam the streets as if they own them. Trash doesn’t quite make it to the trash cans thus littering the streets. Hot chi is around almost every corner filling the air with a sweet aroma. Fried foods unknown to me speak to my hunger as I walk the streets. Since it’s summer, the smell of a million sweaty people lingers in the air never quite dissipating even after the sun has gone down.

There are markets that line the streets.  Every vendor believes they have exactly what you need, ranging from nike shoes from the nineties to cooking utensils.  One of the main words in Hindi I’ve become good at saying is no. A lot of the markets have incredible deals on clothing, rugs, spices and really anything you can imagine. I’ve become quite a good haggler since they always initially try to get you to over pay and you just have to negotiate a good price.  I really love walking the streets and being able to shop as I do so. I’ve already made some great purchases.

There is so much history here. You’ll be driving along in an auto and come across tombs or old ruins in the middle of a round-a-bout.  They are scattered all throughout the city as modern civilization has built up around historical sites. The tombs and Mosques take your breath away because of the grandeur and intricate detail that went into building them so long ago.

Today is my last day in New Delhi and I’m off to see more historical sites.  From here it’s on to explore the rest of India. There is so much to take in and absorb from the 3 day experience I’ve had thus far.  I will keep updating as much as I can but the internet is not always available. Enjoy the pictures.  There will be many more to come.

One last random fact- McDonalds delivers in this country.

Walking the streets in Hauz Khas village. This is a very nice quiet shopping area filled with great antique and clothing stores. It's an escape from the normal loud people-filled streets.

A woman hangs her laundry out to dry in Hauz Khas Village.

Children play outside their home while a man sleeps in a rose garden surrounded by trees in the New Delhi. This is not an uncommon sight to see here. Tents are set up on the sides of busy streets as well.

Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor who ruled present day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of northern India from 1530–1540 and again from 1555–1556. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562 CE, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian architect. The mausoleum of Humayun is the first mature example of Moghul architecture according to historians.

Before one can even see the tomb you must pass through 2 gates.

Approaching the second gate leading up to the tomb.

The emperor's cenotaph

Sitting in the garden outside Humayun's tomb. The Mughals wanted to make the tombs in the center of paradise and in religious text paradise lies at the juncture of 4 rivers. Mughal architects tried to represent this by creating a charbagh. A charbagh is a quadrilateral garden layout divided by walkways or flowing water that form into four smaller parts.

Flower market in Old Delhi

Spice market on the streets of Old Delhi.

Jama Masjid Mosque in Old Delhi.

View of Old Delhi from the tower we climbed up in Jama Masjid.

From the top of the tower looking down at the entrance into Jama Masjid Mosque.

Hotels in Old Delhi