Friday, September 7, 2012

Hello from India!

Hello from Dehli, India!

We made it! The trip got off to a rocky start because our flight to Chicago got delayed. Dad did not think we could make the flight to India at all but we were going to give it a shot. It felt like my Dad and I ran a marathon with 100 pounds on our back in the Chicago airport to make the flight. The Air India employees were so nice and escorted us through check in, security etc. We boarded the flight at 1:17 and the flight was scheduled to take off at 1:20. Whewww. Close one.

I knew I was headed to India when a women in the row adjacent to me immediately asked to use my phone, and later in the flight a couple asked to use some of my writing pens. It is just the Indian way. Although the 15 hour flight was long, Dad and I watched movies and read and tried to sleep. The hotel we are staying in is very nice and comfortable. All the employees are so helpful, generous, and proud of their work.

Today was one of the best days of my life. We took a rickshaw tour of Old Dehli. I cannot even begin to explain how amazing Old Dehli was. Dad found the tour through the company wheninindia.com. It was an incredible tour and I recommend it for all of those planning to travel to Dehli. The 4 hour tour included every bit of information and history about Old Dehli you can imagine. For those that do not know, Old Dehli was where the leaders of India lived before the British came in. Today it is bustling with more modern day activity. We visited temples, mosques, Asia's biggest spice market, old mansions and I could go on and on. It was absolutely fabulous. So much history in these narrow streets.

Standing before the famous Red Fort. 

The wonderful tour guide (who knew every single detail about Old Dehli), and rickshaw drivers.

Standing before a Hindu temple.

Getting a blessing of knowledge and luck. 

People use these beautiful flowers to give to the Gods. 

What most of the streets look like in Old Dehli: Narrow, very narrow. The rickshaw drivers were so talented when it came to navigating the narrow streets.

Sitting in the rickshaw before seeing a large Mosque.

Old Dehli streets.

Spices from the Asia's largest spice market. 

More spices!

I leave for Guwahati on Sunday morning and I am so excited to get there and show my Dad around. Guwahati is where I will be working for Operation Smile. The next post I will explain where Guwahati is and why I am working there! I will also keep giving details about our trip to Dehli. 

Keep Smiling,
Hannah

2 comments:

  1. DOBES! I love your blog! I'm so glad you made it safe and sound and are having so much fun with Papa Dobes. Keep updating... all the time!

    xoxo,

    Catherine, Atticus & MowMow

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your blog is fabulous! I love all the pictures as
    well as the narratives. Overall it is so beautiful,
    too. I can't wait to hear more about your
    adventures.

    Love, Nana

    ReplyDelete