Old Delhi Tour

 

Angie and I took the Old Delhi tour from the hotel complete with driver and guide. We learned so much about the 800 plus years of history. We saw so many historical sites. I can't even begin to tell you what my favorite was. I have created a separate photo album with pictures and videos. We had a lesson on how they create kasmire and silk rugs and saw some of the most beautiful rugs you would ever see! We went to a shop that sold beautiful sari material. Absolutely amazing.

The picture is of Angie and I with our Ricksaw driver. They are bicycle here, not hand carts. There are also the green motorized ones that you have seen in many of our pictures. This guy peddled us through old Delhi crowded streets. There were a few close calls with people, bikes, scooters, and cars. Once we thought we were going to get hit by a truck. But somehow with all the vehicles, there is usually no accidents. I say usually because in driving around I haven't seen any! But this picture was taken with our SECOND driver! The first driver's brakes weren't working properly and some kids on a motorscooter were driving too fast on the wrong side of the road and skidded to miss us. One of the kids was pretty scraped up and we were unharmed. But it was clear the brakes were not working on our ricksaw. So our guide had us immediately switch.

This weekend was a Muslim holiday and this all happened outside the mosque. I thought for sure the police would be called. But the driver took care of it after we switched and we went on our way. We weren't able to go into the mosque due to the prayers going on. But we did take some pictures of the outside.

Now I know everyone has seen those pictures of the old Delhi wiring. Well, it is true, we saw it and you can see it on the pictures and videos in the picture album. But the guide says that when there are heavy rains they shut down all the power to prevent fire. And if a service call is made, the company knows exactly which wire to service. He assured us they are very organized.

We did see a cobra, but didn't get close, as Julie & Seth did when they took their tour. It was in a common area of a group of stores and I had left my camera in the car because we were heading over to eat. But trust me, Angie and I didn't have any desire to get close enough to get a picture.

Speaking of food.... I can't eat things very spicy, so rice and bread have helped me to "dilute" the foods. Angie has just been here a week, and she is even more sensitive than I. So when our guide took us to this place to eat, he assured us the food was very safe, made sure we had a table and then left!

I've been keeping a little notebook of the food I liked from the hotel. But it was in my backpack, in the car, with my camera. And our waiter spoke little English. We did pretty good though. We settled on an order of Spring Rolls as appetizers, Butter Chicken and mixed vegetables. I had specifically told him I only wanted a mixture of vegetables cooked in olive oil.

Needless to say, we found out we COULD have ordered butter chicken with no bones, but didn't really see the "BL" or know what that meant until the girl next to us said something. And I had to send back the vegetables. Even though I kept telling the waiter ZERO spicy, the vegetables were still too spicy to me. I had him call someone over to help with the communication and it was changed to Chinese stir fried vegetables. So much better!

As you look at the pictures, we were told it wasn't as crowded because it was a holiday and the shops were all closed. So the items for sale were flea market style. People just bringing things in. Hmmm sure seemed crowded to us! I am glad we went then beause I would hate to see the regular crowded!!

Enjoy the videos, they are rough, but as it is!