Not often do I show up in a new country knowing nearly nothing about my itinerary, but when I visited a friend in New Delhi, India, who planned my entire trip for me, I was not about to complain.
With the European cities I visited on my study abroad as my most recent benchmarks, the main difference I noted between Europe and Asia is the idea of contrast itself. Months in Paris acclimated me to its typical Haussmannian buildings (established in the 19th century), herbs to add quiet sophistication to meals, and the incessant rule following (save the French’s love of protesting).
New Delhi offered a different landscape. The second leg of my mini Asian tour (the first being Bangkok, Thailand), New Delhi is full of vibrant colors, intentionally chosen to juxtapose each other. A market like Dilli Haat (shown below), might be made of neutral brick or wood, but stalls decorate with awnings, rugs, and of course the goods themselves to create eye-catching displays.
Even our itinerary showed us the variety that New Delhi has to offer. Our first day, we visited Emporio Mall to see the luxurious lehengas and sarees worn to Indian weddings and occasions. The next day, we walked through Khan Market, which is home to a high range of boutiques carrying goods such as jewelry, home decor, and skincare. On our last day, we walked around Dilli Haat, known for its abundance of local vendors. We tried on silk scarves, flipped through canvas art I still regret not buying, and imagined how the ornate rugs and kitchenware would look in our future homes. Though we did not eat a full meal there, we sampled some local candies and treats. As instructed, we bargained our way through the market, and I returned with some loose leaf peppermint tea.
Perhaps my favorite part of India was the food. In keeping with the idea of contrast, spicy or sweet curries are paired with Indian breads such as roti and naan. Although also known for its spice, Indian food was much more manageable than Thai. It was packed with flavor without putting tears into my eyes, both because of the ingredients themselves and the breads that accompany the food and tempter the taste. My friend ensured we try all the Indian staples, so we visited food courts and high-end restaurants alike. Even the food itself, packed with fresh ingredients and spices, is bright and colorful.
One afternoon, we took a stroll around Lodhi Garden, where numerous tombs sit amongst clearings in the greenery. Pictured below is Shish Gumbad, a tomb from the Lodhi Dynasty dating to the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. The park was alive with walkers, runners, and families enjoying the January sun. My friend warned me of how empty the park gets when the summer heat hits Delhi and everyone flocks indoors.
Lastly, what would a trip to India be without a visit to the Taj Mahal? Located just a few hours from New Delhi in Agra, the Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the New World. We left early in the morning on a rather gloomy day, and while not great for photo quality, the time and weather earned us a mere fraction of the site’s usual crowd. I was surprised by the number of buildings around the Taj Mahal, including mosques, two Drum Houses, gates, and additional mausolea.
While bringing us around the site, our tour guide intertwined debatable levels of fiction into his historical information, as my friend warned us.
Despite having few expectations for visiting India, any pre-existing conceptions of the country I did have were far surpassed. Between the shopping and the restaurants, I left with neither empty hands nor an empty stomach. Merely in driving or walking around the city, I enjoyed spotting the temples and historical sites scattered amidst the modern storefronts and restaurants of the city. If you can bear the potentially long flight (nothing a few downloaded movies can’t fix), India is most certainly worth the trip.
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Salut Madeleine 