Delhi in a Day

Snake Charmer

We began our day with a visit to Jama Masjit, India's largest mosque. It was constructed in the in the middle of the 17th century and is built of red sandstone and white marble. Jama Masjit is the only mosque that women are allowed to enter. They are allowed sit around the outside during prayers. I found it interesting that this mosque belongs to the Sunni group which is the more conservative Muslim group, and yet they have opened parts of the mosque to women.

Caren and I jumped into a bicycle rickshaw and experienced a once-in-a-lifetime ride. The traffic was absolute mayhem as a Jain was in his final stage of giving up his wordly possessions and he was having a large procession where his family and he were seated on a throne, pulled by two white horse. He was busy throwing candy to the crowd. This man will later pluck out his hair one by one and give away all his possessions even his clothes and walk around in the buff.

I tried to live in the moment as we wove down little alleys where the locals run their small shops. Each alley had a different theme - bicycle and auto, paper, produce, and meat...I am truly a vegetarian after that! However the most spectacular sight was not the colourful daily activities of the mixed Muslim and Hindu people, or the ability of our driver to Uturn on a dime and navigate potholes, cows, other ricksaws, as well as an onlslaught of pedestrians, but rather the web of electrical wires overhead shooting out in all directions and terminating in a huge circular mass which continues to grow like a malignate tumour.

Cutting meat by using his feet.

Next was the Gandhi Memorial with the beauty of lush green open spaces, beds of bright flowers, and cool stone walkways culminating in an eternal flame surrounded by artistic floral displays. My intellect was stimulated by the memories of an amazing man who dedicated his life to improving the lives of the Indian people through non-violent means. "My life is my message" GANDHI This sensory experience led me to a peaceful, meditative state where I felt awed by greatness, inspired to do more with my life, and yet grounded by the coolness of the stone against my barefeet...a reminder of the need to help improve the human condition in the here and now.

Next was the striking 70 meter high monument, QubMinar, which looms majesticlaly across the wide plains of Delhi. It is a spectacular space with ancient rock structures, intricately carved columns that had been stolen from many Hindu temples, before these temples were destroyed by the Mughals, all set against a backdrop of a pristene blue sky - a living work of art, a portal into another time and place with a stillness that stood in dark contrast to the honking bustle of Delhi.

Our last stop was Humayan's tomb, the first Mughal garden tomb. Again a relaxing, awe-inspiring space.

Our India experience would not be complete without an authentic Kashmir carpet buying experience. We were all herded into the back room and served Kashmir tea (a blend of saffron, cinnamon, and cardamom). The patriarche of the family gave us a very professional education on kashmir, pashmina, and silk rugs. It was a very entertaining performance with his helpers slapping out one rug after another on command. The rugs were of the highest quality with 600 to 2 000 hand knots per square inch. Jennifer, Stephanie, and Evelyn are now the proud owners of a handknotted Kashmir rug.

We then picked up a beautician and brought her back to the hotel where we enjoyed pedicures, face massages, and facials.

What a delightful Delhi day!