Much as i would like to blog on a regular basis, i find it challenging to blog using mt phone and have not always had access to an internet cafe. so please excuse spelling mistakes and lack of photos for now...i am however having a wonderful time in India and finding it a most fascinating country.After three days in Kerala, we took a two day train up to Delhi. the train ride was quite pleasant and relaxing. After a while one needs a break from being a tourist and train time affords just such a break plus the chance to enjoy the view of the countryide.
In Delhi we saw Humayon's tomb after whih the Taj Mahal is modelled. i also visited a Sikh temple where j learned about Sikh traditions and customs such as buyig prasada or food offerings for the poor and bowing to the Sikh's holy book. I also saw a bit if Old Delhi with its maze of backalleys and its gritty and faded glory. Delhi has a great metro system and its fair share of gardens and temples plus some nice bookstores (visiting bookstores has been a pretty regular thing for us...we visited Full circle bookstore in Khan Market which i recommend for its selection of Indian books and its top floor cafe, Turtle Café. We took an overnjght train from Delhi and have just today arrived in Jaisalmer in the popular traveler destination state of Rajasthan. tomorrow we will explore the city and plan to also tour the desert by jeep and camel!! i am super excited about that. My travel buddy picked an amazing hotel located inside one of the city's top havelis, or traditional maharaja compunds. it feels very Lawrence of Arabia here, one can easily feel the mark of centuries and pretend to be British colonialists (we are simply Canadian-Chinese-Quebecois, quasi unemployed young women but of course its impossible to forget how privileged we are especially in India where people struggle with poverty, caste, gender, pollution etc) . Although I have had my share of frustrations in India its impossible to deny its charms or to fail to be impressed by the history, or by the generoaity of most people ( who dont hesitate to share their chapatis with inquisitive Canadians sitting next to them on the train, even those who dont understand a word of Hindi...)
In Delhi we saw Humayon's tomb after whih the Taj Mahal is modelled. i also visited a Sikh temple where j learned about Sikh traditions and customs such as buyig prasada or food offerings for the poor and bowing to the Sikh's holy book. I also saw a bit if Old Delhi with its maze of backalleys and its gritty and faded glory. Delhi has a great metro system and its fair share of gardens and temples plus some nice bookstores (visiting bookstores has been a pretty regular thing for us...we visited Full circle bookstore in Khan Market which i recommend for its selection of Indian books and its top floor cafe, Turtle Café. We took an overnjght train from Delhi and have just today arrived in Jaisalmer in the popular traveler destination state of Rajasthan. tomorrow we will explore the city and plan to also tour the desert by jeep and camel!! i am super excited about that. My travel buddy picked an amazing hotel located inside one of the city's top havelis, or traditional maharaja compunds. it feels very Lawrence of Arabia here, one can easily feel the mark of centuries and pretend to be British colonialists (we are simply Canadian-Chinese-Quebecois, quasi unemployed young women but of course its impossible to forget how privileged we are especially in India where people struggle with poverty, caste, gender, pollution etc) . Although I have had my share of frustrations in India its impossible to deny its charms or to fail to be impressed by the history, or by the generoaity of most people ( who dont hesitate to share their chapatis with inquisitive Canadians sitting next to them on the train, even those who dont understand a word of Hindi...)
No comments:
Post a Comment