It has been a busy 2 days. So much so that we bypassed dinner last night and probably will again tonight. Our lunches have been so plentiful that there is no thought of having a 3rd meal that day . We have enjoyed bitter chicken tandoori chicken and goat. Let's not forget the vegetable curry and included in many meals and other veggies I don't even know the names of.
Our last day in Dehli was spent at the site of an ancient Mosque dating back to the 1100's. There are two things I found most remarkable while we were there. First there is an incredibly tall minaret that in its day was the tallest structure in the world. Next there was a black pillar that is made of iron that had been there since the 800's. Somehow those ancient people's figured out how to process the iron so it doesn't rust. Pretty amazing.
Once we left the site of the mosque we took a ride to embassy row in Dehli where we had lunch at a very modern and elegant restaurant. Embassy row was beautifully landscaped and we got to glimpse over the walls to see some of the embassy buildings. We also got to see the Parliament building and several other impressive government buildings. This part of Dehli was clean and modern.
Our next stop was a Sikh Temple. We learned a great deal about this very peaceful group of people and how they differ from their idol worshiping Hindu brothers. After viewing the Temple and the enormous man made lake (it was to big to be called a pool or a pond) which was the focal point of the outside courtyard we walked over to the community kitchen. There we saw people sitting in long rows on the floor being handed metal trays and then having food dished out on to the trays. We were told they feed upwards of 20000 people a day. These people take community service seriously. I am certain not all the mouths fed are Sikhs but many come just for the social atmosphere. We had the opportunity to help with preparation of the food. I shucked peas and rolled chapati. There were high kettles of cut vegetables and a giant grill for cooking the chapati. It's quite an under taking.
We were required to cover our heads before we entered the mosque and remove our shoes and socks. The entire place is made of marble. As you approached the stairs to walk into the mosque there was a place to wash your feet. Our feet were beyond dirty when we were ready to leave. And speaking about leaving we were greeted with a downpour as we walked to our bus. I finally appreciate my new curly do.
Today we left Dehli by 8am and headed to Jaipur. A 200 mile ride took until 5:30 pm. The traffic by the airport and then through the tech area and major corporations was horrific. At one point thete were 15 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic. We made a pit stop along the way at a McDonald's. Where else would you stop. No beef in this country. Cows are sacred and are treated much like our canine friends. You see them everywhere. Sitting along side the road. Sitting in the road you name a place they can be and they will be there. Finally got to Shahpura where we were driven in open jeeps through narrow winding streets to the top of the city. There we entered a magnificent residence with exquisite gardens. Above the residence were the ruins of an old fort that once belonged to the Maharaj of the area. The residence belongs to his family. Now the building is restored to its original beauty and has 5 guestrooms as well as a restaurant. Another downpour while we were eating lunch. Thank goodness it stopped before we were ready to leave. We were not looking to drive in the open air back to the bus in the rain.
Early night tonite. Barry is sleeping in while I have a 4:30am wakeup. I am going hot air ballooning. I need to bring my passport. I guess it is for just in case. Up in the sky I go
Our last day in Dehli was spent at the site of an ancient Mosque dating back to the 1100's. There are two things I found most remarkable while we were there. First there is an incredibly tall minaret that in its day was the tallest structure in the world. Next there was a black pillar that is made of iron that had been there since the 800's. Somehow those ancient people's figured out how to process the iron so it doesn't rust. Pretty amazing.
Once we left the site of the mosque we took a ride to embassy row in Dehli where we had lunch at a very modern and elegant restaurant. Embassy row was beautifully landscaped and we got to glimpse over the walls to see some of the embassy buildings. We also got to see the Parliament building and several other impressive government buildings. This part of Dehli was clean and modern.
Our next stop was a Sikh Temple. We learned a great deal about this very peaceful group of people and how they differ from their idol worshiping Hindu brothers. After viewing the Temple and the enormous man made lake (it was to big to be called a pool or a pond) which was the focal point of the outside courtyard we walked over to the community kitchen. There we saw people sitting in long rows on the floor being handed metal trays and then having food dished out on to the trays. We were told they feed upwards of 20000 people a day. These people take community service seriously. I am certain not all the mouths fed are Sikhs but many come just for the social atmosphere. We had the opportunity to help with preparation of the food. I shucked peas and rolled chapati. There were high kettles of cut vegetables and a giant grill for cooking the chapati. It's quite an under taking.
We were required to cover our heads before we entered the mosque and remove our shoes and socks. The entire place is made of marble. As you approached the stairs to walk into the mosque there was a place to wash your feet. Our feet were beyond dirty when we were ready to leave. And speaking about leaving we were greeted with a downpour as we walked to our bus. I finally appreciate my new curly do.
Today we left Dehli by 8am and headed to Jaipur. A 200 mile ride took until 5:30 pm. The traffic by the airport and then through the tech area and major corporations was horrific. At one point thete were 15 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic. We made a pit stop along the way at a McDonald's. Where else would you stop. No beef in this country. Cows are sacred and are treated much like our canine friends. You see them everywhere. Sitting along side the road. Sitting in the road you name a place they can be and they will be there. Finally got to Shahpura where we were driven in open jeeps through narrow winding streets to the top of the city. There we entered a magnificent residence with exquisite gardens. Above the residence were the ruins of an old fort that once belonged to the Maharaj of the area. The residence belongs to his family. Now the building is restored to its original beauty and has 5 guestrooms as well as a restaurant. Another downpour while we were eating lunch. Thank goodness it stopped before we were ready to leave. We were not looking to drive in the open air back to the bus in the rain.
Early night tonite. Barry is sleeping in while I have a 4:30am wakeup. I am going hot air ballooning. I need to bring my passport. I guess it is for just in case. Up in the sky I go
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