Preston and I both had a long weekend due to the India National holiday for Republic Day. Next January 26th, I will be at the event......a very impressive display of India's Armed Forces in a parade for all of India to see, and the procession takes place from India Gate to the Presidential Palace......neither Linda or I felt like braving the crowds this year.....Our driver Ramesh had the day off since we had kept him so busy with Jeff being here, so Preston and I set forth on an adventure of our own. Linda just felt like "chilling"....and since the Hiralal the cook was off also, she cooked a wonderful meal that was a welcomed change for Linda and Preston from the Indian/Asian food we have been eating. Black-Eyed Peas and smoked sausage and Jambalaya......a taste of home. A Tuk-Tuk (Auto Rickshaw) ride to Hauz Khas Village.....where my favorite restaurant is.......and we actually did discover a really neat place and the reason for the name of this area of town. Although Preston has used a Tuk-Tuk for transportation in the past (a trip last weekend to Sikkim House, I had never braved a ride in one before......so I chose someplace close to the house.....only about 5 kilometers from the house. After our ride, which was exciting to say the least, we had lunch at the restaurant......I had my usual Masala Dosa.....and it was good. I finally remembered to take a picture of a dosa.....but I remembered a little bit later than I had planned.....I had already taken some bites! After lunch, we began to explore the small alleys behind the restaurant which make up the village. Most of the shops were closed due to the holiday.....but we wandered anyway....when we reached the main street again we saw what appeared to be the entrance to a park....and when we entered we discovered the site of the "Second City of Medieval Delhi"....between the years of (1296 -1316). The area is dotted with the tombs of the rulers of the time.....and the buildings that they built as part of the complex.....it was a true gem of a find......I had been to the area at least a dozen times, and had no idea it was even there. This is just one of many experiences like this that awaits us in India...we truly haven't even turned the first page in the history book of Delhi, much less this amazing country. It is going to be an incredible experience for both Parker and Preston as well...it is one thing to learn about World History from the pages in a book but to experience it first hand is priceless. I wish I could have captured the look on Preston's face when the "light bulb" went off in his head. Prior to us talking about where we were and what we discovered, he was just looking and walking through some "cool old buildings"...but then the magnitude of what took place here and that this was built 500 years before anything in the United States....built over 700 years ago without any sophisticated machinery......these "old buildings" became something more special and significant to him. Preston and I took many pictures......and a video of the Tuk-Tuk Ride for your enjoyment......but I must warn you......there is nothing like the real thing......Come to India......not to see us....and not just for the fun of a Tuk-Tuk ride! India is truly an Incredible place in the world.....and unfortunately not high on every one's list of places to visit...or live and work. I will end this blog with these parting thoughts for you to ponder and a challenge: The next time you think the place you live in is terrible, or boring, or unbearable.........think about the discovery Preston and I made and shared.....I bet that there is something similar waiting to be discovered in your own city or state....where ever in the world you may be in. You may pass it everyday on the way to work or school.....and have never given it a second thought. Learn as much as you can about where you live and embrace it and share it. If you do, it won't be just the "place you live and work"...it will be special. There are many Tuk-Tuk rides to be taken or Hauz Kaus Villages to be discovered.....don't take the obvious things around you for granted; do something that may seem ordinary and boring on the surface.....turn your own page....there is something out there just waiting to be discovered that will give you an entirely new perspective and appreciation for how special the place in the world you live in, truly is. Think of it this way......the place you live in may not be boring.......it may just be you....
1 comment:
I very much enjoyed your closing. It was quite thought provoking. I think anyone who reads your blog will definitely put India on top of their "places to travel" list. I know I have when I never really had a desire to go there before!
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