Final Stop: Old Delhi

Matthew and George decided they had had enough of India by the time we returned to Delhi, so they caught early flights home.  Chris had hired two student guides because he thought Old Delhi might be too crowded.  Ahshit (left) and Uma brought along Navneet, a slacker friend.

First they took us to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.  It was built during the reign of Shah Jahan.  You remember him from the Taj Mahal.

We had to cover our legs in order to be admitted.

There were hats, too, for Muslim men who had forgotten to cover their heads.

Check out this chandelier.

We climbed to the top of this minaret, after a mosque official extorted a third fee from us (one for admission, one for a camera, and now one for this).

Did you know that flashing peace signs can be contagious?

I took this shot as we were about to go down again.

Our last group photo.  Even though we already had paid the camera fee, a couple of angry mosque officials tried to demand another payment for this photograph taken on the steps outside.  It was the only time during our trip that I encountered what I'm pretty sure was anti-Western sentiment.  But they backed off when Ahshit told them to.

The twisted streets of Old Delhi were just a short walk away.  A tangle of wiring hung above our heads.

Thirsty?  How about a cup of fresh water buffalo milk?

Maybe some pineapple if you're feeling hungry?

Or perhaps a peeled orange?

Hey, where's the beef?

But we mostly saw wedding items for sale, both retail and wholesale.

 Including money necklaces, typically given to the groom.

Brides wear necklaces, too.

As well as lots of beads and lace.

But if it ain't colorful, it probably ain't Indian.

I loved these hats.

We stopped in one alley where many well-to-do Jains live. They're rich enough to employ servants. Check out the lump of lighted coal in this maid's iron.

Of course Dan bought something.

Many guys aren't shy about mixing color.

We also visited a Sikh temple, but first we had cover our heads. Navneet rose to the occasion for a change.

Counting money in public isn't an activity I associate with houses of worship.

Fortunately the Sikhs didn't spend it all on beautiful decorations like these.

They also operate one of the largest soup kitchens in Delhi, feeding hundreds, possibly thousands of hungry people, no matter their denomination every day.

Meanwhile, the nearby Hindu temple was closed.

When the guides concluded the tour around noon, we took a vote.  Should we visit the Red Fort? Or go shopping?  Which one do you think this crew picked?

Then again, seen one fort, seem 'em all.

Namaste.