New Delhi

New Delhi

Upon arriving in New Delhi, the first thing that I noticed was that I was no longer in Kansas anymore. The writing was different, the familiar smells have changed to something distinct and completely foreign and then the weather hit me like someone had thrown sugar on me and sprinkled it with water. That’s how sticky it was. I then thought, let the adventure begin.

The adventure starts with something you’ll never see in the United States, a statue of a monkey god. 

            This is just one of the many things that impress me about Indian Culture, the diversity of the religions that are here. In the bottom left hand side of the picture, there is a Jewish Star of David. The way the Indians integrate is phenomenal. Additionally, we went to a Baha’I faith temple, called the Lotus Temple and on the other side of the scare is an ISKON temple for the followers of Krishna.

         

   I am not familiar with Indian history.  One perception that I had was that Indian history was filled with village warfare and there were but only a couple of large cities. The one thing I was not prepared for was the number of forts. One in particular, was the Red Fort, built in the 7^th Delhi. Yes, that is correct, another thing I didn’t know was that Delhi was built seven times. I’m not clear on how they were destroyed, but because of the presence of the Red Fort, and the tour mentioning it was built multiple times, I think that it was sacked by the various tribes or groups such as the Moguls. That was very enlightening.

            The people in New Delhi have been very nice so far. The folks who sell trinkets and various items are not pushy, as it was in China. The men actually hold hands and this is a normal thing. In the United States this would be a shock except in a few isolated places such as San Francisco, Palm Springs, or various gay districts. This is another cultural misconception that I had of India. That it was closed minded when it comes to public displays of affection and how they treat their women. The men don’t necessarily show their affection for women, but they do for each other. Also, women only hold themselves to their own personal morality and beliefs, not that of society at large or even other groups.

            My overall impression of India (New Delhi) so far is that this cultural melting pot works. Not in the traditional way of melting pots of blending all the components, but more of a mixing of all the components.  Each cultural trait really is distinct; something I didn’t think was possible. 

 

From the old to new or the North to the South, everything is preserved distinctly just as it is today. Not how it was, but how it has weathered time and stood fast against the elements, just like the cultural pieces that make up India.