(From the pages of my moleskin journal)
We left around 5:30 AM for a quick trip in two taxis to the airport for our 3 day adventure to Delhi and Agra to see the sites of central India. The airline was Spice Jet and I even managed to snag a whole row with a window to watch the skies.
Delhi is very green with offset areas free of development (a nice change from Kolkata). From the plane you can see the slum areas intermingled with some ritzy areas. From the airport in Delhi we boarded the Tourist bus and we were off to see some of the sites in Delhi. The museum had some incredible pieces of art and sculpture. The intricate detail and sheer volume of history was almost overwhelming at times as I was walking through the museum. I was impressed with the progression of the art and its relationship with the historical events in the many states of India.
A brief stop to visit the last home of Gandhi was enlightening. Very different impression than the visit to Tagore's homes last weekend. Despite the fact that Gandhi came from a similar background, I do not get the elitist feel and impressions I had from Tagore. Gandhi appears to have been much more in touch with the people and welcoming to the experiences of everyone. Tagore had a vision with Nature as a key to education and life, whereas Gandhi had a vision of education to better the status of all, including women and the poorer castes.
The local tomb in Delhi is quite a fascinating mausoleum with 150 tombs and very beautiful decorations worked into the very design. It took 18 years to complete with most of the materials hauled by elephants and laborers by hand. The size is incredible, but I was most intrigued by the gravity flow channel system that feeds the various ponds and gardens within the grounds. Extremely impressive since the channels have a very slight grade that allows a gentle flow of water through the system.
Of course, as a final note, the US Embassy is the largest one in India and is extremely visible from the road. Just thought that an interesting side note.
Addendum from the drive to Agra:
The falcons sitting on top and flying around of the mausoleum in Delhi were pretty spectacular with the occasional green parrot making an appearance.
Angry birds are all the rage in India apparently, from the women selling balloons on the roads at stoplights and stop signs, to the the squawking and squeaking angry bird puppets of the sidewalk market vendors.
Driving from Delhi to Agra is about 4 hours and 200 km or so from Delhi. Along the expressway are quite a few runners in training and hanging out on the side of the road. Some of them are really booking along.
Saw grass huts in the midst of fields of sugarcane as well as huddled up to the sides of large compounds.
This is really the first area in India that I have really seen the caste system in full force and very visible.
Traveling on an amazingly modern toll road expressway through very agricultural areas. Grass huts, walled compounds, and brick kilns are very much in evidence.
(Pictures to follow when I get back to Kolkata)
We left around 5:30 AM for a quick trip in two taxis to the airport for our 3 day adventure to Delhi and Agra to see the sites of central India. The airline was Spice Jet and I even managed to snag a whole row with a window to watch the skies.
Delhi is very green with offset areas free of development (a nice change from Kolkata). From the plane you can see the slum areas intermingled with some ritzy areas. From the airport in Delhi we boarded the Tourist bus and we were off to see some of the sites in Delhi. The museum had some incredible pieces of art and sculpture. The intricate detail and sheer volume of history was almost overwhelming at times as I was walking through the museum. I was impressed with the progression of the art and its relationship with the historical events in the many states of India.
A brief stop to visit the last home of Gandhi was enlightening. Very different impression than the visit to Tagore's homes last weekend. Despite the fact that Gandhi came from a similar background, I do not get the elitist feel and impressions I had from Tagore. Gandhi appears to have been much more in touch with the people and welcoming to the experiences of everyone. Tagore had a vision with Nature as a key to education and life, whereas Gandhi had a vision of education to better the status of all, including women and the poorer castes.
The local tomb in Delhi is quite a fascinating mausoleum with 150 tombs and very beautiful decorations worked into the very design. It took 18 years to complete with most of the materials hauled by elephants and laborers by hand. The size is incredible, but I was most intrigued by the gravity flow channel system that feeds the various ponds and gardens within the grounds. Extremely impressive since the channels have a very slight grade that allows a gentle flow of water through the system.
Of course, as a final note, the US Embassy is the largest one in India and is extremely visible from the road. Just thought that an interesting side note.
Addendum from the drive to Agra:
The falcons sitting on top and flying around of the mausoleum in Delhi were pretty spectacular with the occasional green parrot making an appearance.
Angry birds are all the rage in India apparently, from the women selling balloons on the roads at stoplights and stop signs, to the the squawking and squeaking angry bird puppets of the sidewalk market vendors.
Driving from Delhi to Agra is about 4 hours and 200 km or so from Delhi. Along the expressway are quite a few runners in training and hanging out on the side of the road. Some of them are really booking along.
Saw grass huts in the midst of fields of sugarcane as well as huddled up to the sides of large compounds.
This is really the first area in India that I have really seen the caste system in full force and very visible.
Traveling on an amazingly modern toll road expressway through very agricultural areas. Grass huts, walled compounds, and brick kilns are very much in evidence.
(Pictures to follow when I get back to Kolkata)
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