Today was our first proper day out and about exploring Delhi. Our first experience was being driven through Delhi to Old Delhi on a rickshaw. Rickshaw drivers are some of the poorest people living in Delhi and they work so hard for their money. We had this tiny man riding and pulling Martin and I through the busiest streets, fighting the heat, pot holes, huge puddles, holding his ground against trucks, cars, horse/cow drawn carts. And for only 80 rupees (about £1.15). The journey was incredible. Delhi is a lot more ramshackle and the poverty so obvious, much more so than many cities I have visited. There is rubbish everywhere.
We eventually got to Old Delhi train station and then walked from there to the Red Fort or Lal Qila, which was very impressive. It was built in the 1600's and was the centre of Moghul government. Some very impressive architecture with beautiful marble arches and quiet gardens.
We then ventured in to Old Delhi and wandered down the tiny streets, where we actually didn't get too much hassle. Unfortunately we are not brave enough yet to sample the food off the stalls on the roadside, trying to give ourselves time to acclimatise! After getting a bit lost and finding ourselves in a food market we got in an auto rickshaw and made our way to Connaught Place.
Connaught place is the busy circular 'modern' hub of the city where you can find any brand or label contrasted with the shoe shine and chai stalls outside. We got stopped every few minutes by touts trying to take us to another tourist information office. After wandering around for a bit we decided to walk back to our hotel.
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