Originally posted: March 3rd, 2014
Yesterday was an awesome day consisting of a trek through Delhi. I walked a mile from Apoorva’s work to Khan Market, then another 2.5 miles to the president’s house. I sat on a bench under a small obelisk in the yard of a government building and drew in my notebook for a couple hours before setting off again. Another 2 miles had me pass a hunger strike and a man who I bought a miniature wooden chess set off of, and I found myself at my third stop of the day, Jantar Mantar. This is a complex of 17th century astronomical buildings that were visually very cool. There was also an exhibition of astronomical landscape photography spread throughout the grounds that was stunning!
Jantar Mantar flowers, astronomical landscape photography exhibition, 17th century astronomical building!
I wish I had stayed to draw some of these, but I had called Apoorva’s friend Rhea and had made plans to hang out with her because Apoopies had to work late. Then I got a call that Apoorva was not in fact working late and that she could pick me up from the metro stop by her house and take me home. Sorry Rhea. Then it was metro back, and hung out with some people and went to sleep. I feel like I’m missing something.
Today was good too! Drove to central secretariat with Apoorva and Nilesh where they dropped me. Took the metro to Kalkaji Mandir and walked to the Baha’i House of Worship, the Lotus Temple, and it was quite impressive! I went into the information center before I got to the temple and was fascinated by the Bahá’í Faith, which is a world religion centered on the idea of unity and truth (based on what I gleaned from a tour of the information center and a bit of reading). They believe that war is silly, all world religions are similar at their core, and vary only in ‘the unnecessary details,’ or something along those lines. It was really interesting stuff and although I am not religious, was maybe the most compelling basis for a religion I’ve ever seen. The faith respects the search for truth through science and research and demands a tolerance of all religions and races, encouraging people to celebrate differences rather than use them to justify hatred.
“All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this power of intellectual investigation and research, which is an eternal gift producing fruits of unending delight. Man is ever partaking of these fruits. All other blessings are temporary; this is an everlasting possession. Even sovereignty has its limitations and overthrow; this is a kingship and dominion to which none may usurp or destroy. Briefly, it is an eternal blessing and divine bestowal, the supreme gift of God to man. Therefore, you should put forward your most earnest efforts toward the acquisition of science and arts. The greater your attainment, the higher your standard in the divine purpose. The man of science is perceiving and endowed with vision, whereas he who is ignorant and neglectful of this development is blind. The investigating mind is attentive, alive; the callous and indifferent mind is deaf and dead…”
– Abdu’l-Bahá
I loved the writings in there, it was all very unexpectedly thought provoking. There was also a great quote about the unity of the world but I don’t have it. Go to the Lotus Temple yourself and find it!
After coming out of the Lotus Temple (in which you are not allowed to take pictures or even draw), I sat on a bench and started drawing. Indians and foreign travelers might be the nicest people ever. I’ve never gotten so many compliments on such a rubbish drawing as I did with this one. The next hour was hilarious because I had maybe 25-30 people, over the course of the hour, stop at my bench and ask to take a photo with me. I’m just sitting there like, y’all act like you’ve never seen a white person before, jaws all on the floor like Pam, like Tommy just burst through the door. Some of these people think a) I’m photoworthy cause I’m white, b) I’m rich because I’m American, etc. It’s really odd. America is wonderful, but it’s strange to be looked up to because of where I was born. It was as alarming as it was enjoyable.
I did get to meet an Afghani man named Sami who I had a nice half hour long chat with. He studies at a University in Afghanistan, is visiting grandparents in India, and is engaged to his cousin, who lives in Virginia and who he will move to the USA to marry. He was really nice and we took a photo together too. There was also an entire group of about 10 who each took turns sitting on the bench next to me while the rest of them snapped away photos. I can finally check “become tourist attraction at a tourist attraction” off my bucket list.
Some of that group that all got photos with me.
FF to later in the day, I met up with Rhea at Jajiv Chowk and we went to a stop near her college (the white trash hippie neighborhood) and got buffalo steaks and milkshakes. Then home, then Auntie Aunt’s (her real aunt) for an e-mail sending tuturial and then home for delicious chicken, Modern Family, and then bed! Great day!
Notes:
-Nicky D, I saw a Jeep that someone had put a Ferrari logo on. OK. Pretty convincing
-UMD, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Ohio State: Some of the schools represented by beggars wearing university sweatshirts on the street.
-Why are all the cars in India so TINY!?!?! If you’ve seen the driving here, you know why
-ANIMALS I’VE SEEN: Giant fruit bat (2′ wingspan), monkeys, green parakeets
-I survived my first batch of chicken momos off the street in crazy hot sauce sold by a 6 year old.
-Lastly, this is a sign they actually had the need for:
Shame on you pissing motorbike man. You can’t even get a proper flow going. Nothing worse than the split stream, although I guess if you’re just aiming at the ground and not a toilet, doesn’t really matter anyway. Rock on