Ibn Batuta - itchy feet!

“….Ibn Batuta…….ta ta ta

Bagal mein juta ta ta….”

The radio of the Toyota Innova started as soon as we left 207, Okhla.

May be not as dramatic as Ibn Batuta…still we had a destination….Chandni Chowk…..

Okhla to Patel Chowk in a cab, then Patel Chowk to Chowri bazaar by the tube…..You must be thinking, what is the big deal anyway?

But as soon as I walked out of the Chowri Bazaar tube station…. I thought I have seen this a hundred times before: the shops, the signboards, the masjids, the tangas and even a large tree…..but suddenly, something grabbed my attention I looked around again being truly aware of my surroundings for the first time that day.

I knew that I was in for a treat at Delhi-6.

Normally, one drives around a city….but a place like Chandni Chowk doesn’t allow that luxury. So one is forced to walk around…… the best way to take in the sights and sounds of any place. Especially walking without a purpose forces one to slow down and notice the smallest details that make things seem new and different. It lets you stop for golgappas, watch the monkey business, to take photographs…..smell the fuming kebabs…..actually feast on them at Karim’s (world famous in Delhi!) or just stare and assimilate.

Close on the heels of eating authentic mughlai food is visiting the local market – The Kinari Bazaar… A stroll through a marketplace offers a variety of experiences, many of them new even to a long-time resident. There is truly nothing that radiates the essence of a city better.

Every time one starts to feel tired of Delhi, just head to the lanes of Chandni Chowk with your camera and get yourself into the rediscovery mode…..

The golgappas, Karim’s kebabs, Nataraj de bhalles, paranthewali gali, lassi, rabri, khurchan….even the Banta…..the buffet just seems endless!!!!!