Chapter Five: Delhi

Delhi in a nutshell was like entering a loud, crowded, colorful sauna where we were instantly celebrities and everywhere we went people wanted to have their photo taken with us and simultaneously charge us way too much for every service imaginable.  We met up with our old friend Justin (He and Daniel grew up in Iowa together) in Delhi and the adventure began.  Our 'hotel' was located in the Bhargag district, which was miles from any other tourists and gave us a very quick and intense introduction to real big city Indian culture.  Thousands of narrow streets lined with clothes lines, fruit stands, cows, and hundreds of little shops all as large as an American's walk-in closet (Indians have an amazing ability of utilizing very little space).  We hired a wonderful driver, "Sam", to take us around Delhi and show us some of the famous sights as well as the hidden markets and restaurants unknown to foreigners.  We spent three days exploring hot, crowded, exciting Delhi and then made our way down to Agra......

Delhi at sunrise

People slept on their roof in the Bhargag district

Our first Indian bed

Met up with our old friend Justin from Iowa

The Red Fort

The Red Fort

Old friends

Museum of war

Two artists restoring an old temple at the Red Fort.

I was hesitant to ask people if I could take their picture, but so many people asked to have a picture taken with me, so I would turn around and ask them if I could photograph them in return.  I quickly learned that Indians do not smile in their photographs.

Largest Mosque in India

Our first Indian meal: Yellow Dahl, butter naan and a chili pepper

Indian Sun rising

Hanging out on the roof.

Our first hotel

The amazing Lotus temple.  This is a Bahai temple where all religions can come and worship in silence in this grant building.

The India gate.

Ha!

Delhi streets at dusk