This past week Samantha and I headed out to explore nearly everyday together. Andy is in the process of writing another dissertation proposal on his new topic, so we tried to stay out of the house and let him write! As you will see from the photos, it has been quite foggy and polluted of late. There is additional pollution in the winter due to the number of fires. On nearly every corner near dusk you will see small fires lit with guards, drivers, laborers, including women and children huddled, around the flames to keep warm.
On New Year's Day Samantha and I ran errands in Lagput Nagar and ended up taking photos of the street food commonly found in Delhi. Below is a sampling of what we saw. You will notice a savory theme of fried and a sweet theme of fresh fruit.
Roasted peanuts and assorted nuts.
This sweet girl and her mother talked to Samantha and allowed me to take her picture after they took one of Samantha.
Fried sweet cookies.
Fried sweet potatoes.
Close-up of sweet potatoe cart.
Freshly roasted corn
The popcorn cart is my favorite.
Fried potatoes.
These are the ubiquitous carts where I buy a lot of bottled water.
Pineapple, I always want this but know that my GI track doesn't.
Enjoying the fried food yet?
Mobile hard candy sweet-seller.
Chaat
Gooseberries and pears.
Sweet potato seller.
This stall was in an alley filled with tailors.
Popular papadum seller.
Notice the "American" popcorn touted here.
Here's the stand that always appeals to me, but again, not to my GI tract. We met a Fulbrighter that was hospitalized for a liver infection after drinking fresh carrot juice, probably not from the carrots, but from the juicing machine.
This gentleman has just finished chopping a ton of green chilils and was tired!
Cart fruit seller, pears to the right.
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A few months back a friend suggested we visit the Garden of the Five Senses in New Delhi. At the time, the heat precluded us from making the trip. Last week Samantha and I ventured the two metros and rickshaw ride there. As with most of our outings, we arrive early before the majority of people begin arriving. Although it was built in 2003 it appears as if it hasn't been well maintained. It does, however, offer another space for amorous couples to hide away in bushes, on benches and throughout the trails, as you will see from our photos.
Trail in the Garden of the Five Senses.
Lots of random statues like this one dot the ungroomed trails. Notice the couple in the background.
Amphitheater in the Garden. Cleaning up New Year's Day following festivities.
Prayer garden at the Garden of the Five Senses. I am wondering why there are only two brown children and the rest are white?
Families beginning to congregate for picnics.
These elephants used to be immersed in a fountain but it has since stopped operating.
I was tempted to take a camel ride with Samantha for three dollars.
I watched these kids playing badminton for a long time while Samantha nursed. Some of the kids came over to meet Samantha and talk to us.
Samantha taking it all in and taking a break from the Baby Bjorn post lunch.
Parking lot at the Garden of the Five Senses. I love how decorative all of the trunks in India are.
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One of our big projects this week was cutting blue ribbon and threading it through 800 bookmarks! I started volunteering for CanSupport after my nurse mentor here told me about the work they do in New Delhi with cancer patients. CanSupport provides palliative care for patients throughout New Delhi and sponsors a 4K Walk for Life February 5th that Samantha and I will be participating in. If you are in New Delhi, come and walk with us!
Some of our bookmarks!
Samantha helped immensely with this project, eating a few along the way.
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Another day Samantha and I ventured to the Baha'i Lotus temple and ISKCON temple. The Lotus temple is only two stops away on the metro from our house and then a short walk from there. Both temples are free and open to all.
View from the Kalkaji Mandir metro stop near the Lotus temple. As you can see, India struggles with a litter problem, something refreshingly absent from most of the Lotus Temple grounds.
Storefront along short walk to the Lotus temple.
The walk from metro to the Lotus Temple.
Waters surrounding the temple.
Line to the Lotus temple.
Collecting our shoes after visiting the Lotus temple.
Had to have a stranger take our photo! Even though we always look the same!
ISKCON temple floor.
Worshipers headed into ISKCON temple.
ISKCON temple.
Did I mention that at both temples you remove your shoes? It was a bit chilly...
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Hanging out with Samantha and Emily at my new favorite cafe in Hauz Khas.
Elma's Cafe Hauz Khas.
Ceiling at Elma's Cafe. I love the pink.
Emily and Samantha.
I loved the bathroom so much at Elma's that I took a picture to show you.
After cafe hopping we went on a walk around the water tank and discovered this nursery.
So, on most maps of Delhi you will find "Deer Park" in Hauz Khas. I thought there would be deer roaming about, but it turns out they are in a pen for you to come and see. My first time seeing caged deer.
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Upcoming events...
This is the show of a new friend, Savi, a tremendously talented Bharathnatyam dancer. Savi, her husband, Andy, Samantha and I went to a Kathak dance and sitar concert last night. Come to her dance concert Jan 28th if you are in Delhi!
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