Delhi
Delhi, known locally as Dilli, is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest metropolis by population in India. Located on the banks of the River Yamuna, Delhi has been continuously inhabited since at least the 6th century BCE.
Delhi’s culture has been influenced by its lengthy history and historic association as the capital of India. This is exemplified by the many monuments of significance found in the city; the Archaeological Survey of India recognises 1200 heritage buildings[99] and 175 monuments in Delhi as national heritage sites.
Buildings at Connaught Place in New Delhi. January 2007.
The Delhi metro is one of the wonders of the Ancient World (or at least so it seemed to me when I first discovered it in 2005). You descend from the often dirty, cacophonous, teeming world of India's capital with its bustling millions and suddenly you find yourself in an airconditioned, high-tech, spotless, gleaming world almost empty of people. For some of us Westerners who need respite from the Eastern street, going down into the Metro is positively a vacation (from regular India). Even though the fares are inexpensive (even by Indian standards) the Metro in 2005 was fairly empty. Maybe the Delhians hadn't got used to it yet.
Nothing quite prepares you for the sights, sounds and smells of old Delhi - from aromatic food stalls, brightly coloured sari shops to open sewers; all in the space of 20 yards! And if you go into the Moslem quarter you have the added delights of animals being slaughtered and butchered on the roadside. Quite a culture shock on your first day in a new country!
Yup, that's right.. this here is 6 people on a scooter. Right in front on the parliament, which has the maximum number of cops... Three times the maximum number of people allowed on 2 wheelers.. I count ONE helmet.
Every square metre in Chadni Chowk was filled with something, wether it was merchendise, people, cattle, horses, garbage or beggers. It was all there.
This restaurant was making it's chapatti right there on the street where all could see. We figured it was better to trust something you could see on the street than something you couldn't see behind closed doors, so hygiene wise it was fine in our book! You havne't experience Delhi untill you've been in Chadni Chowk. It's the craziest, busiest noisiest, smelliest interesting, exhilarating walk in a city that I have ever done. Chadni Chowk is a part of the old Delhi, the one dating back to when the city surrounded the old Mughal empire positioned at the end of Chadni Chowk in the Red Fort.
