Old Delhi in Pictures

Old Delhi must be the place people think of when they talk about the heat, crowds, and poverty of India.  It was founded in 1639 as the capital of the Mughal empire, and it's got some of the most cramped, crowded streets in the city - and that's saying a lot.

We began with a walk down Chandi Chowk, then turned South and toured Jawal Masjid, the largest mosque in India.  I knew in advance that they would ask us to thoroughly cover up to enter, but I was unprepared for the horrific fashion statement they asked of all Western women who didn't have their own cover-all robe.

Really, now.

Despite our pastels, the mosque was amazing.  During worship, it can fit as many as 25,000 prostrate bodies at a time.  Three great gates, four towers, and two minarets 40 m high each.

After jostling our way through the crowds, we were relieved to duck into a side street and marvel at the wide array of goods available at the Spice Market.  I got heartburn just from inhaling.

Of course, no visit to inner Delhi would be complete without at least three or four wandering cows.  Unlike the specimens on my street, these seemed to have no owners and just stood around on the pavement all day.

How now, brown cow?

There were obviously a million more pictures taken of the day which weren't posted here.  I've started a Flickr Photostream for anyone who's more interested in a visual trip through India (and who wants to ignore my blabbering).  The link is here, or in the sidebar, along with links to my YouTube page.