Dave’s Blog

On Wednesday we visited sites in Dehli. We went to the Red Fort. Started in 1638 it was built to replace Agra as the capital of the Mughal rule. Walking around and seeing the splendor of the structure, I can just imagine when it was populated with the people wearing beautiful colors, carpets, flowers, pets and everything else.

We went to the India Gate which was a memorial to the Indian soldiers killed in WWI. As at all the other places there were many people trying to sell things. In your face trying to sell things. Not taking no for an answer. It was sometimes very anoying. I just have to remember that they see us as super wealthy…as we are by their standards, and they are just trying to make a living.

We also went to the Lotus Temple, a magnificant structure built by the Bahai faith. It reminds one of the oprera house in Sidney. 9 petals with 9 reflecting pools. It is a place of silence and contemplation. It was a very refreshing change from all the very old structures.

We drove around Dehli and saw the government houses and much more. Some more shopping topped of the day. We went to a leather shop in the evening that was down 3 or 4 streets too narrow for cars. It was where the locals shopped and many were out on the streets. Nice to see how the real people live and shop, not just the tourist places.

A couple of times during the day while everyone was shopping, I went outside where the drivers were standing around and did strings. It is amazing how it helps connect with people. In fact, each day I was able to teach our respective guides some figures.

At one stop I was doing strings and a man came out of the crowd and ask to use a string. He made a number of figures, Foot of the Peacock, Big Net, Small Net, Chicken’s Feet, and a slight of hand trick with string. A few other people knew one or two figures but he knew a lot of them.

The people of India are very spiritual and believe in God or gods and in divine power. I was able to talk about connecting with God and they said “Yes, that is so important.” Or I did one figure where I talk about how life is impossible without God but so good with Him and they all agreed. How they define God is as different as each of them were.

I was also comfortable in telling people that we were Christians from America in their country to help out in a girls hostel and just wanted to spread love and mutual understanding. They seemed to appreciate that and not put off by our religious affiliation. I was also comfortable asking the drivers or guides or others that I met if they were Hindu, Buddhist, Muslem or what. They all responded openly.

Dave