Qutb Minar

Delhi isn't totally unfamiliar. In fact, many of the smells are reminiscent. A combination of pollution, things burning, and spices reminds me of maybe Bangkok...or Quito...or New York in summer...? Familiar, nonetheless.

For our first tour of Delhi, Chinky sent us to Qutb Minar, a complex from Delhi's Mughal period dating back almost a milenium ago. The tallest building in Delhi at the time erected, this World Heritage site consists of gardens, a school, and still-functioning mosque. The tall spire at the center, constructed of red sandstone, has been struck by lightning on occasion and subsequently rebuilt.

We watched the sun set over a small hill. Close to the airport, we also watched as planes took off from Indira Gandhi International.

On a park bench, admiring the setting sun and atmosphere, two men walked up to Katie, one of whom handed her a baby.

Huh?!? We weren't sure if we should thank him or refuse such an offering. Without a word, though the men flanked us, while their wives approached and snapped photos. What is this? A foreigner family photo? Katie stared at the baby, laughing hysterically...who hands over their baby for a prop?? Only in India, I guess. Once the proper picture and moment had been captured, the man reclaimed his child, passed her back to his wife and off they went. For us, however, began a bloodletting. People had lined up to sit with us and take our photographs. You'd think we were celebrities! Nope, just foreigners, perfectly perched on a park bench. Man. We're going to have to start charging...

Strenuously warned about water, certain foods, and pollution, Delhi has yet to turn my stomach or senses. The infamous Delhi belly has yet to take root. Thankfully. Roadsides are packed with somewhat run-down strip malls, cows, random marble vendors with stacks of foot-square tiles, and rickshaws. You can buy anything along the road or even highway, simply pull over and park. And children and adults alike weave through traffic to sell you balloons, books, roses. On the highway. It is developing indeed. And the disparity between rich and poor is more than noticeable. On our way back from Qutb Minar, a girl of at most four tapped our window, moving hand to mouth as if for food, begging for money. She had nothing to sell. And no shoes.