First Guests 2014

February, 2014

I was delighted to receive an email from Angela, a wonderful friend from Houston, who lives in Muscat.
After a bit of difficulty, Angela and Lila received their visas and arrived in Delhi.

True to my past history, the girls hit the ground running.

Our first stop after airport pickup at 9:30 am was the Qutab Minar   73 m high tower, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak.  The first three storeys are red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are marble and sandstone.

The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque was the first mosque built in India.

Construction started in 1200 AD and continued with more additions til 1315

Amazing what can be carried on a bicycle ...

We also wondered through a Mela, or market that was at a village close to Gurgaon.

Angela found shoes..

The Market was full of colour, music, buyers, sellers, families.

The next day we were up and on the road to Agra before 6 am. I am thrilled that John could also join us to see the Taj Mahal.  Our drive was 3 hours.

A very foggy morning

Delhi January 2014

January we returned back to Gurgaon.  We had a very long trip from Canada; 36 hours.
Our apartment was a little dusty but I am lucky to have help from Frankie and Elizabeth.  I will take pics of them soon.

Today I want to share my two trips to Delhi, hosted by Delhi Network Ladies.

Thursday 23rd January

Lodi Gardens

Delhi Sultanate Period (Lodi and Sayyid)

Tomb of Mohammed Shah Sayid

Water always makes a park look nice

Masala Tea

The entire family was working here, the young boy looked to be about 8

Tomb of Sikandar Lodi

Love Birds

A Quiet moment

Well used, park very clean

Bada Gumbad

Mosque of 1494

I have heard many wonderful thinks about Lodi Gardens, now I know why. I hope to return and enjoy  the park later in the spring when more flowers are out.

We had more than 10 Ladies on the tour, our guides did a great job.  I hope I can remember a bit of the history.

I joined two new friends for a lovely lunch. And they showed me a few more stores in Delhi.

Wednesday 22 January

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, the most prominent Sikh Gudwara or Sikh house of worship in Delhi.

Holy Water is offered to everyone

A Hot Meal is offered, Hundred line up everyday

Ladies Making Bread

Our day was rainy, therefore not as many people

I enjoyed two great days in Delhi.  Looking forward to more

Gurgaon Week 9

October 4, 2013 We arrived in Gurgaon, India (About 1 hour outside Delhi).  John changed companies and job, he is now with Cairn Oil.  

We hope, this is the week to move into an apartment.

I had a few trips to Delhi, I look forward to many adventures in the city.

We also had our first big trip,  we drove to Jaipur and stayed for two nights (that will be a separate blog.

Our trips in Autos (tuktuks), and walks in Gurgaon are an adventure every outing.

The art is colourful

Peddle Power

Sweeping the Road, Not sure Why

Never Ending

These sewing machines are powered by peddles, no electricity required.

Road Side shave.  John would not stop, this time.  

I am sure John would be very excited about a new look.

Behind our hotel we found these small huts with a pressing business.  The irons are filled with hot coals.  No electricity...  I am sure they are happy the temperature is cooler now.

I was told the temperature here get over 40C in the summer, even then the pressing continues in these huts.

The Casablanca Restaurant is part of our hotel. We enjoy soft music from these fellows while we have a great meal.

Road side flowers 

Lovely Lady in a Roadside Market

This Lady was not shy about showing us little boy

This man was enjoying his day

During December and January the temperature is around 0C

Dried cow dung is used for fuel in the country

Pigs, Cows, Monkeys, and Dogs roam freely 

New day tomorrow, more surprises around the corner, down the street.  This is only Gurgaon, we have all of India to explore.

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Kathy