History, architecture and enlightment
On our way to Chandigarh. Half way, actually. Already had our rail meal. We’ve got ‘vegetarian’. In that case it means: a sweet vegetable sandwich, some burger without meat but with ketchup, a soan cake (dry milk-ish with some nuts), lemon water, crunched nuts and of course chay. Still, a lot of things take us by surprise like parts of the meal, watching others what they do and try it, too.
This morning, we had to choose between South Indian breakfast or toast. To me, the Lodhi, please. It’s rice-pancakes, filled up with mashed potatos. With it a veg chutney (beans and lentils) and a coconut sauce. A bit spicy, but good in the morning.
Our next stop was Qutab Minar. A ancient watch tower. The delicate stone carvings were amazing!
We heard a guide telling that the towers was closed for visitors because children came to death bij structure failure? Can’t belief it, will look it up!
The contrast between the fine, looked-after greenery inside the complex around the tower and the life outside these walls couldn’t be bigger. Strange to deal with those big differences, strange to experience a kind of peace or release to just let that hard life outside those walls, to enjoy – for now – the tranquility of the place.
And – hush-hush – in the taxi to strife for the next place. In our case Humayuns tomb. Impressive piece of architecture. We walked the walls, mostly with more interest in the birds and butterflies then in stones and structures. We soaked up the beauty of the place, anyway.
The driver dropped us at Chimney restaurant for lunch. Not bad, but also not the very good Indian food he promised.
The last highlight before leaving Delhi was Akshardham, a Hindu temple. Had even to leave our phones in the car! Out of limit! But what do we do in India? We shift our limits! Thus, we went into the temple. What a huge overwhelming complex!
About security in India: at every metro station, at every train station, at any kind of relevant complex your luggage will be put through a scanner. There is a security line for women and one for men. Also at the Hindu temple we had go through the procedure. Even the car was bom-checked. On the other hand, children, babies live along the main roads. Children trying to sell their goods between the cars. Whereof you have to know: they drive full speed in zigzag in five lanes on a three lane road, rushing and honking. Dust an litter everywhere. Thus, what’s important in life? A prayer at the Hindu temple says: Do good to everybody. But 100m away?
And what about our own dilemma’s?