Last Day with the Kumars 7/21/19

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Ajit Uncle took us on a tour of Delhi, part two! Jake had asked yesterday where Parliament was, so Ajit Uncle made it our first stop today. We learned that on Sundays, it’s very quiet. Most shops are closed, and there was far less traffic on the road than we experienced the other two days. We saw Parliament and other ministry buildings, drove by India Gate, Connaught Place, went to Old Delhi, where books line the streets on Sundays (both in English and Hindi), saw the Red Fort, Humayun’s tomb, the largest Muslim mosque called Jama Masjid, and more. We got to see so many places because the traffic was so reduced! The history and the lush green of the city continued to amaze us. The word “old” has such a different meaning here with buildings dating back thousands of years instead of only hundreds like in the States.

Dilli Haat

This is a market that has the most beautiful goods. Every two weeks, new artisans from across India come to sell their goods here. You can find saris, shalwar kameezes, shoes, leather bags, jewelry, and so much more! Every item is so beautifully handcrafted. Debika Mashi bought me a pair of pants that are both stylish and very airy. Jake passed the time looking at paintings and drawings while we shopped for mostly clothes and jewelry. 

We didn’t eat there, but we heard that Dilli Haat also has the most amazing food. There is a food stall representing every state in the country (29 states total). Each state has its own specialties and staples. People go there not only to shop but also to eat and sit and have chai. We’ll definitely be going back...maybe this time without Jake (unless we’re eating). 

Jet Lag Update

This morning, Julie woke up at 5:30am and Jake at 6:15am. We had coffee and tea early and then the most delicious cold coffee at breakfast, which allowed us to successfully last through our Delhi tour and Dilli Hart! We both took naps around 3 and forced ourselves to wake up at 5:30pm. We were very sleepy the rest of the night and went to bed early again.