A view of the monument Qutub Minar from the rooftop lounge...a brilliant way to end our day in Delhi with our gracious host Vinayak.
Built of red sandstone, this was the model on which the design of the Taj Mahal is said to be based upon.
This flame has been burning in memorial since his assassination in 1948, and the surrounding gardens were a peaceful respite amidst the frenetic surroundings of Delhi. Truly an honor to bear witness to this tribute for a great man.
What happens after an intense morning of rickshaw riding and being told nonstop information from our very austere and knowledgeable guide? Well, you forget things...like what building is pictured in this photo. But we do recall it is a palace...it used to be colorful but was whitewashed by the British... and Karen seems to recall that there were originally more buildings but some were destroyed. Melissa however has no recollection of that last "fact" as she believes it may have been presented at the precise moment she was attending to a man urinating on the side of the road (not pictured). Oh, India...
When researching India prior to coming, we read that for a first time visitor it can be described as "an assault on the senses." This was definitely true of our rickshaw ride around Old Delhi: smells of sweets and spices...the sounds of horns, music, voices, (and an occasional chicken coup)...the sight of cars, animals, mopeds, rickshaws, pedestrians and goods of every color of tge rainbow moving to a haphazard (and sometimes heart-stopping) dance through its narrow, dusty streets. I think it's safe to say we are so glad we did it...and we'd never do it again!
First stop today was Jama Mosque in Old Delhi. India's largest mosque built in 1650.
