We go to a handicrafts store near Siri Fort
and find something right away with mirrors and bells for Olivia.
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We visit the Qutb Minar complex, most famous
for the Qutb Minar tower. This is one of the tombs near the tower.
While wandering around the ruins, some local Indian tourists
decided we were a greater attraction than the tombs and requested to
take our photo. As we walked away puzzled, another group spotted
us and asked for photos. After a third round, we ducked into a
tomb to hide.
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Here is the tower itself which tapers sharply
as it goes up to make the tower seem even taller than it is. The
tower was started in 1199AD as a celebration of Muslim dominance of
Delhi. Verses from the Koran are inscribed on it.
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A detail of the stone at Qutb Minar. As
we were admiring the stonework, the guards came blowing their whistles
at us and hustled us out of the park. We asked another fleeing
tourist and were told that a VIP was visiting and the park was closing
to the general public for security.
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A major part of our time in Delhi is Nathu's.
They serve up great snacks and sweets. Any day can be made
better by a stop at Nathu's.
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Near the Parliament building is the monkey
district. Our guide Nigel told us that when he worked in the
government buildings (back when India was a British colony) people would
encourage the monkeys by feeding them tea in saucers on the ledges of
Parliament.
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Nigel took us to a crematorium where these
wooden stretchers and bundles of wood are sold at the front gate. We
arrived before noon and so there were only a few cremations in progress.
There are no funeral parlors here. According to Hindu custom,
families build the pyres and cremate the bodies within just a few
hours of death. We saw people arrive and dip the body in a pool
before carrying it to a funeral pyre.
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Nigel also took us through the Old Delhi
bazaar where these spice and nut samples are arranged for prospective
buyers. One section had 30 burlap sacks overflowing with dried red
chilies, which made us sneeze and cough as we walked past. He said this
bazaar is the bulk spice source for all of North India.
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A second-story view of the Old Delhi bazaar.
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