Delhi in Three Days

What I discovered during my recent trip to Delhi is not the wonders of India in all its colour and splendour. No, what I discovered was that the Desi folk think Gutterflower is Norwegian. They seem to think she looks like a tourist of Viking ancestry who is trying very hard to adapt the hipster Indian culture with her patiala pants, shawls and bangles; all mismatched.

While she moseys about the subway, she’s oblivious to the looks of wide-eyed awe (and possibly fear) the Indians bestow upon her, half expecting her to whip out a medieval spiked mace and bludgeon them out of her way.

Ok, so that’s stretching it. But I wasn’t kidding about the bit that they think she’s Norwegian and about the looks of awe in the subway! And because I’m ever so grateful to her for mothering me with panadol and lemon tea when I was ill, I will refrain from sketching a caricature of her as a Viking (in patiala pants).

In my limited time in Delhi, Gutterflower- my gracious host and patient guide, showed me around the vast city. From the chic cafés to the best street markets; Delhi is indeed a very colourful and lively place.

Here’s a glimpse of what my three day visit beheld.

Day 01:

The all girl electric string instruments quartet “Bond”.

Brilliant performance. I particularly loved their electric adaptation of Jai Ho.

Yeah, all right… so apart from playing popular Indian music on their electric stringed instruments the performance had nothing to do with India. But hey, what are the chances of Bond performing in Sri Lanka? So it is something to blog about!

Day 02:

I met up with the Gutterflower an hour after the agreed time and I’d given her quite a scare. I feel terrible about that. Will make it up to her

Having dropped off my backpack at her place we scooted off to lunch. She mentioned rolls. In my mind I pictured the breadcrumb fried rolls- the popular ‘short-eat’. Ah, light lunch, sounds good.

Then I discover in India a roll is a naan filled with meat and rolled up. Not light but oh-so awesomely scrumptious! Yum!  Once we’d tucked in our rolls, we move on to the hippest café for the best brownie ever and luxuriously thick Oreo milkshake. ‘The Big Chill’ is so popular that people line up along the stairway to the entrance waiting for tables to free up!

Warm, chewy and gooey. Now that’s a brownie!

Most of day two consisted of us weaving through the market place.  Gutterflower being patient as she is, waited uncomplaining as I browsed through item after item and mostly not buying anything. Yes, that’s the sort of annoying shopper I am.

Me shopping

Day 03:

What was supposed to be the day for sightseeing/ exploring but wasn’t. I fell sick And so ended my brief visit to the Capital of India.

So yes, that was Delhi for me. I must definitely make a second trip there, preferably not a work call though.

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