Today is the last day of Ramadan, an Islamic fasting ritual.  Therefore, today is the day of feasting!  All over India, I saw Muslims dressed in brandnew clothes (it’s tradition to buy a new dress, etc…just like our Easter) for the feasting…after one month of fasting – today you get to EAT!  And often times, I saw whole families traveling to that family gathering on one motorcycle!  They can get about 4 (sometimes 5) people on them! 

Not only is today special with the Muslims, but it’s a national holiday (yay for me, I missed all the Delhi traffic) – it’s Ghandi Jayanti Day as well as Global Non-Violence Day AND a few other festivals were happening (which I didn’t quite get).  However, the mood here is very sober with all the bombings as of late.  There have been quite a few bombings in the city over the last few weeks (more than I think I read about in the US), by an Islamic terrorist group.  The city is almost in lock down mode, it appears….armed guards EVERYWHERE – even with little barricades and machine guns…(yeah!)….My hotel has armed guards that search the car/trunk when we drive in….(Steph – was this normal when you were here?)

But, I have to say, Delhi is fabulous!  It’s very green – they boast having the most trees of any city in the world – and I believe them!  But, it is VERY HOT and HUMID!! Holy COW!  Let’s say, August in Houston?  And there is quite a bit of pollution in the air – lots of dust!

My guide of the city is fantastic (thank you Steph for that recommendation!!) and the hotel is certainly high end….(Steph, they must have finished the construction since you were here…).  I was in the gym this morning and I had about 3 trainers to help me – ALL complimentary!  So, I got one heck of an ab workout this morning (so needed it!) (Mag – the gym is nicer than the Rio one…)…so, I’m happy – and they have free yoga…..(I am in heaven)…

Today we started out at the Red Fort (1639-1648), which is Old Delhi’s largest monument.  I learned there are about EIGHT Delhi’s…New Delhi is the 8th, Old Delhi is the 7th city centered around a mosque (On this street there was even a Baptist Church! So many variances!).  After the Red Fort, I went to my first mosque! It was after the morning prayer, so we could enter (women are not allowed for religious ceremonies)….of course, you must remove your shoes and for some reason I HAD TO COVER UP! WHAT?   My guide argued this one, because no one else dressed like me had to cover up (I wore a tee shirt and jeans, so I would be allowed into the mosques…SO…..maybe it was the boobs? Don’t know….LOL)  Anyway, I had to wear a….hmm…not sure what to call it – a cover! haha…It was really neat though – it was India’s largest mosque, Jami Masjid – the spiritual center of Shahjahanabad.  People were still praying – there are little spots on the floor to mark a “prayer spot” for each individual…..

After the mosque, we were able to go to the Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat – which was REALLY busy as it was Gandhi’s birthday (Oct 2nd).  There were fresh flowers laid out on the grounds in designs (see photos on facebook) and they were having a ceremony there as well (YES, I had to remove the shoes…getting that Pedi was a smart move!).

I then toured the Victorian section of New Delhi, the government buildings (very British!) and stopped at the India Gate (All India War Memorial for WWI and Afghan Wars.)  Another landmark that we stopped at was the fluted red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar.  It was started in 1199, and tapers upward, with intricate carvings and inscribed verses.

The last stop was 1564 Humayun’s Tomb, an example of Persian and Indian styles of building in Asia.  Very magnificent!  It was a tomb built for a husband by a wife (Taj Mahal was built by a husband for a wife).

Lunch was another experience…I ordered a rice/chicken dish – “mild”…took one bite and couldn’t talk for five minutes.  Ok, so no spices for me!  And they had the “after dinner Indian mint” thing again (I sampled this on the plane)…it’s a mixture of sugar and fennel seeds, rosemary, etc. , that together tastes like black liquorice and is suppossed to help withyour breath/digestion after curry…..maybe so, but I hate liqourice! haha…

Other interesting observations: 

Holding hands among men is very common – no, not a couple, they just do it.

If your an American woman, traveling alone – be prepared to be stared at.  I mean gawking, staring…yep, like you’re from another planet. ha! Very interesting…..