New vs. Old Dehli

The model of the new Delhi Metro system

Today provided a great comparison between the districts of Delhi: Old Delhi and New Delhi. We began our day with an exploration of Old Delhi. We rode the metro, which was exceptionally clean and new!  After a few stops, we got off into a mass of people – this was our official welcome into Old Delhi. We walked to the Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi, which is the largest mosque in all of Asia.

Then, we took cycle rickshaws to the Red Fort of Delhi. Along the way, we passed a man who appeared to be in life-threatening shape – he was crumpled on the ground, not moving, not speaking. And everyone around him was passing by appearing to ignore his condition. When we passed on the rickshaw, our guides got out to ask if he was okay. We learned that he had apparently had too much to drink and was just blackout drunk. Although this story ended all right, it was a jarring and troubling site to see, especially considering how many individuals passed him without a thought to stop.

The Red Fort of Delhi

Government buildings and the rainbow!

Following the Fort, we walked through the crowded and frantic streets to the metro station. In three stops, we were in a different world, emerging from what appeared to be an outdoor shopping mall. Although I discussed contrasts in a previous blog, this stark different was oddly apparent. This again demonstrates the diversity of this country.


After some afternoon free time, we took rickshaws to New Delhi. We viewed the President’s Palace and government buildings, the Indian version of the Arc de Triomphe, and India’s equivalent of the National Mall in Washington D.C. There were many people out on this Sunday evening, following a brief rainstorm that produced the rainbows captured in the images above in this post.    

Delhi’s version of the Arc de Triomphe

We concluded with dinner at Haus Kauz market. This is the up and coming place with art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and apartments. We toured around for a bit and then had dinner at a swanky bar and chatted with ex-pats about their choice to move to India, their businesses, and their experiences in America.

This was a more relaxed day than previous, so that concludes this post!