Delhi was never my choicest destination, except this time. I guess it also depends why you are there and with whom. When I was intimated that I had to go to Delhi for couple of days, it was more of “not there” attitude than anything else. I had lived there for about 7-8 months once and then visited there quite often; but I never really got fond of it. And there were no fond memories there as well.
It was a bright sunny Monday morning when I landed in Delhi. The sky was clear, weather awesome, and people in a chilled out festive mood. From the airport, my first destination was Bengali Market, where I love to indulge in those yummy aloo tikki and lassi. Having dumped my luggage in the hotel and after a quick bath, it was time for some work. But as soon as I finished with my work, I headed straight to the Khan Market and my eyes where greeted with fresh green vegetables and fruits and then lots and lots of Christmas tit bits – it was all red and green every where.
But hang on, that’s not the end of it at Khan Market. How can one resist Khan Chacha’s mutton tikki role? Ummnnn… its still melting in my mouth…
There is something that is very interesting that I saw in Delhi this time (yes, I insist on this time). All stray dogs (my father lovingly calls them Roadasians), were wearing warm clothes. I saw that all over Delhi. In Fact, in some places, I even saw some mattresses kept on the footpaths where dogs take shelter at night. Pretty amazing.
Hmmn… what I got from there? Wanted to buy some woolens and a nice warm jacket. But ended up buying a box full of strawberries, cherries, and a big plum cake. Just imagine that!
2 comments:
Your post brought back so many memories of Delhi for me. Khan Market was my favourite haunt too-especially one of the music joints there had a very good Jazz and Classical collection, and the food was amazing.
It is still one of the markets where you get healthy and quality food articles. Has an international quality about it.The green vegetable stalls are very eye-catching too.The INA market also used to have good stuff but it's a bit filthy.
This stray dog business is quite new eh - quite heart-warming, if I may say so - I don't think it's so in all parts of the city though. Which parts of the city did you see this at?
Keep writing - would appreciate it if you send me the link once you post something new - not that I don't check it from time to time for something new.
Somehow I felt very good reading what you wrote.
It also reminds me - one of the streets in Delhi that I always found marvellous - Aruna Asaf Ali Marg - was very close to Khan Market.
It's not so in Winter, but once Spring arrives the avenue trees along the road - Tabebouia, Laburnum etc - all burst into vivid yellow blossoms and make you feel Spring is in the air - a sensation hat lasts too fleetingly in Delhi because of the impending Summer.
But during those few days, that narrow street would be lined with yellow blossoming trees and the road would be full of shed flowers, in a lovely yellow heap.
I always thought that's what "streets paved with gold" as you read in myths would look like.
Your mention of street food though reminds me of where I used to go with my friends - to the Muslim areas, and have the cheapest sheekh kebabs and stuff recommended by the experts with me.
Not very relevant to your post perhaps.
I think I spotted what I liked about your post so much - it's got such a serene voice to it.
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