Delhi and New Delhi
Old Delhi was more fascinating than New Delhi because of it ancient history, the narrow, winding streets and the surprises around every corner. New Delhi is more modern and clean and has a presentable face as the capital to the rest of the world. Still the poor live on the streets and women can be found doing grunt work at construction sites.
Young men kept trying to guide us into stores and a university student explained that they earn coupons for bringing customers into shops. With 25 coupons they can get books for free for classes. Education is free but students must have their own books which is a definite drawback for poor families.
We visited the Red Fort built by the same emperor who built the Taj Mahal.. The royal apartments were once covered in precious stones and sheets of gold and silver, all of which were taken by the Persians in the 1700s. The Persians also took the famous Peacock Throne supposedly later used by the late Shah of Iran; some say the Shah's throne was just a copy while others say it was the original.
We learned that original "old" Delhi hasn't changed much since it was founded in 1500. The English modeled New Delhi after Washington, DC. It is a relief to use broad boulevards and wide traffic circles. However when the traffic is jammed and the horns are blaring, travel is still frustrating. We drove on an extremely rough riding bus to see the glorious Mogul tomb of Humayun. His wife erected it in his honor and it later served as the model for the Taj Mahal.
We drove past the India Gate on the way to Qutab Minar, the site of a Hindu tower and where the first mosque was constructed from stones taken from a Hindu temple. Since Muslims consider pictures of the human form to be offensive, a few details were defaced on the racy Hindu illustrations. However, I also noticed that just the faces were defaced. So much for following the Koran.
The people of India seem to be hams and love having their photographs taken. Several photos show cow manure that has been collected and patted into round paddies and left to dry in the sun; once dry, they are stacked in huge piles and covered with straw water-proofing in case of rain.
Upon leaving, my last memories of Delhi are seeing rows and rows of cripples sleeping next to the curb in their hand-cranked tricycle devices.
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©Spreitz-----------------------