Rajasthan 2nd January 2010

Rajasthan 2nd January 2010
The group met up last night, 11 of us, Australian (including a honeymoon couple), British and Swiss. Anant our guide hails from central India.
This morning we take a very old and crowded bus through the hectic streets to Old Delhi where we alight near the Red Fort (which unfortunately is shrouded in fog). The bus journey is an exhilarating experience in itself, not to be missed when you visit this amazing city.
We walk to Jamamasjid, a Muslim temple built in honour of the second Mogul Emperor Sanjha in 1656. This impressive structure fills regularly with 20,000 worshippers who gather in a huge outside square yard.
Next we walk to Alla Kinari bazaar and a myriad of incredibly narrow back streets packed with tiny shops. One section is THE place to go in Delhi for wedding apparel, bride and groom. Then there are little alcove shops each with its speciality produce - nuts, fruit, vegetables, spices, dried milk. jewelry, cloths, garments and monkeys leaping around the higher levels using electricity cables as if they were in the jungle. As everywhere here, the streets are packed with people, carts, bikes etc. going about their business always in a hurry, hustling through the crowd as if their life depended on it. (maybe it does to some?)
Then we find ourselves in Chandni market Street, more speciality shops with trays of produce beautifully displayed for passing shoppers.
The whole area is a mix of mostly Muslim and Hindu people who seem to blend amicably here although shoppers apparently tend to favour their own kind.
Next we catch another (much newer) bus to a Sikh Temple. Here we take off our shoes and socks and the floor tile are freezing. After washing our feet in a stream of water then through little fountains, we enter a huge hall in which several hundred people are praying and paying their respects to the sound of loud chanting. This is a seriously religious place. ''Sikhs believe in one God, do not recognise the caste system and do not believe in idol worship, rituals or superstitions. The religion consists of practical living, service to humanity, tolerance and brotherly love to all. This can be achieved by anyone who earns an honest living and leads a normal life. Their hard working ethic has taken many Sikhs to positions of influence despite comprising less than 2% of the population.''
Next to the Temple, there is a large kitchen where food is being prepared by volunteers. It smells delicious and is provided free to anyone who enters the cavernous food hall. About 2,000 people a day. Unfortunately, Anant leads us away in the opposite direction.
Now we catch the Metro to Connaught Place where Anant guides us to an outside restaurant then leaves us to fend for ourselves. I have chicken biryani which is a bit spicy for me (I come from Devon) but I still enjoy it.
Then to Pahar Ganj, the main bazaar in Delhi, a long wide crowded street with tightly packed stalls either side and street sellers hustling tourists every inch of the way. A bit like running the gauntlet, this is a stimulating experience.
Lastly to Palika Bazaar, an underground circular shopping centre on two levels. Very hot and crowded with lots of apparently good quality (according to the vendors) clothing and electrical goods at bargain prices.
Now I am all shopped out. Back via the Metro to our hotel. 6.50 now, we meet at 7 for dinner. Bye. John