Delhi, day two

When we woke up Delhi was already busy doing the wash and riding the train to work.

Our first tour was to Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden tomb in India, commissioned in 1558 by this Mughal Empeeror’s first wife and designed and built by a Persian architect whose work later inspired the Taj Mahal. It is a huge complex encompassing other tombs, mosques, monuments and gardens. I am always impressed by the work of the people so long ago in making beautiful and long standing architecture. Here are just a few of the views we enjoyed.

Dogs seem to be everywhere and are fed and somewhat revered. The cows are, too, of course, but at least they provide milk.

The sweepers here and at other monuments seemed almost out of place given the fact that trash is just thrown everywhere else without a thought.

There are 16 gardens here with waterways representing liquids of life running throughout.

There are tombs inside and outside; the more substantial for the rich and famous, of course, and the ones which haven’t lasted as well were for foremen on the project or in other places for the kings’s barber or gardener.

Here’s a detail of a ceiling. The craftsmanship was amazing! And the steps in these places always surprised us with its unevenness and height of steps for people who were so much shorter then.

There were other groups from our ship doing the same tour and occasionally we were at the same place at the same time. These good friends of ours had purchased beautiful clothes for the occassion and they blended right in. Well, almost.

I have to admit that it was hard for me to comprehend the mindset that plans and pays for a monument this extensive for anyone but India is full of them and we get to enjoy the beautiful architecture hundreds of years later.

So, now we travel through New Delhi again on the way to Old Delhi — which is a whole different world! In the governmental area of New Delhi the homes and embassies are carefully guarded by the police.

Stores and stalls of every size and description are everywhere adding color and interest to every minute’s ride through the city and you know I can’t resist showing them to you. They really are the city!

And so we come next to Old Delhi which to many is the epitome of India and breaks your heart with its poverty and filth but at the same time delights with its colors and bustling businesses.