We check out of the Ajanta hotel like bandits that morning. The DTTDC has instructed us that the Ajanta hotel is an assembalnce of small time crooks and are putting us in a good place today. We walk down 1/2 a block to where we will be meeting our driver. Our Driver's name we are told is Mr. Singh. Singh in English translates to Lion. So in other words, we are going into the Lion's Den.
A white, compact car with Dolphin borders pulls up five minutes later and we flock to it like it's our ticket to freedom. Mr. Singh steps out of the car. He is wearing a black turbon and carries a grizzly black beard. He reminds me of an Indian Santa Claus. Immediately he charms us as he whisks us away from the swarms of touts, rickshaws and beggars in the immediate area. As the door shuts, we are away. We leave the headaches behind us for the next few weeks.
Today's itinerary is a city tour of Delhi. Mr. Singh assures us that as his driver, we have nothing to worry about. He is going to take care of admission into any buildings and museums. He tells us in his heavy Punjab accent, "no problem".
Punjab is a state in India where many of the Sikhs of India live. Sikhism began in the 18th century as a means of protecting India from being overrun by the Islamic empire. Sikhism borrows from both Islam and Hinduism. The Sikhs believes in only one God, and they preach to this god using personal mediation. Sikhism was started by a Guru (expert) named Nanak. There were ten Gurus that followed. The last Guru basically stated that it is up to the people to continue this religion and pass it on to their respected families. One of the precepts of Sikhism is honesty to others. At this time, I'm really glad Mr. Singh is a Sikh. He can pray as much as he wants just as long as the trip gets better.
And the trip gets better - Immediately. It is amazing how easy it is to get from one monument to another monument to another museum in minutes in what usually would take an hour of combined haggling and worry. We visit New Delhi today. We see a Lakshmi temple. We see the Indira Ghandi Museum - a fascinating tribute to Ghandi's life. Ghandi was one of the most important Prime Ministers of India, as she started the India-UN food grain program and nationalized the banking system. She was a champion of Civil Rights, and like all leaders way ahead of their time die much too young. She was assasinated in 1984 at the tender age of 67.
We see the Qutab Minar - the Islamic victory tower. Bascially the Muslims destroyed a series of Hindu temples in the last great battle in the 12th century. Believing in recycling, they use the rubble of the old Hindu temples to create an immense 200 ft. tower. Those guys were ahead of their time.
We see the Lotus Temple - a strikingly beautiful temple that reminds me of the Sydney Opera house. It's a Bahaii temple based on the new Bahaii religion. This religion mixes the best in all of the major religions and creates its own. It has a whole bunch of precepts that state tolerance to all, world courts, just societies, and all of the other nonsensical unrealistic ideas. Still, it's a beautiful temple. I know that someone high up is laughing about the Bahaii temples all the way to the bank.
--------
After 4 days of intense frustration, today is finally a success. Having a driver allows you to see the charms of India. Lisa and I are leaving with Mr. Singh to Agra tomorrow - home of the Taj Mahal, the Agra fort, and troublesome scams. I'm sure I'll be telling you every painstaking detail here quite soon. Enjoy yourselves, as we will do the same.
Talk to you soon,
Travelling Sherman
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment