Probably the most interesting thing in Delhi
William Dalrymple wrote a wonderful book entitled City of Djinns [ghosts or spirits] but I'm afraid all we found in Delhi was rain and dirt and we can't wait to leave. Sorry Wills but we couldn't find your Delhi and frankly can't be bothered to try.
It's not so much that we hate Dehli - much of the town has the feel of a modern, European city, with well-thought out road plans, wide tree-lined boulevards, vast tower blocks with unusual architecture - more that (once you get through the dirt and traffic) it is rather bland. Everything is so far apart that you don't really get a sense of identity. Dalrymple wrote of amazing old houses and palaces now being inhabited by squatters and the majesty of Delhi's impressive history being eaten up by modern society, but all we could see in old Delhi, were crumbly concrete buildings, much the same as any Indian city, with a few sights dotted around.
The Red Fort in Delhi
Delhi's Red Fort was interesting but nothing like the forts of Jodhpur and Udaipur. The "most impressive Mosque in India" according to the Good Book (Lonely planet) was marred by Kieran almost being attacked by a man who tried to get us to pay to get in or something when we knew full well it was free and (Indian) people were walking in unhindered all around us (suffice it to say we put our shoes back on and gave it a miss). Sadly, it reinforced our view that there are different rules for tourists in India and although we have had some great times, seen some incredible sights, and eaten some fantastic food, our work here in India is done and we both feel it is high time to move on.
We fly to Hong Kong tonight and have amazingly managed to inadvertantly time it so we will be in China for Chinese New Year and this coming year: the year of the Golden pig, is apparently a very auspicious year to have a baby! (Take note those of you who are pregnant!).
p.s. I'm afraid we did succumb to our first McDonald's and it was REALLY GREAT!!!! Sorry.
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