By Sonali Gondane
Ibn Battuta, a famous explorer once quoted that Travelling – it leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller. I have one such story to tell, from my unforgettable trip to Delhi.
For the past three months, I was totally consumed by work thanks to a new role, additional responsibilities and dollops of stress that comes along with it. My wanderlust was getting the better of me. I had the urge to run away someplace far, to rejuvenate and unwind.
Then as though my prayers had been heard, i get a phone call from my most favorite and dearest uncle. As usual he invited me to come to delhi, where he stays with the rest of our family. And without a second thought, i jump at the offer and decide to ehad north, with my younger sister. Some of the best plans are unplanned and spontaneous.I kept my workload on the backburner and booked the train tickets.
We were supposed to travel on the Xmas day, and return back home in the new year. Anyway it was vacation season so.. Dad was pretty concerned as we were just the two of us, girls, that too traveling all by ourselves, that too to the north, especially Delhi, for the first time!
We were given strict instructions, not to speak to anybody, not to divulge any personal information or act naive in the journey. As soon as i boarded the train, i wanted to get my act together and maintained a countenance that i belonged to the Adam’s family, and never knew how to smile.
The fortress in my mind was broken because i was lucky to have families and decent people around, with their toddlers and munchkins.
Kids have this natural tendency to bring out the kid in everybody around them , you don’t have to act rude or be mean. I was pleasantly observing parents who seemed really strict, hold their kids in their arms, sing lullabys, be the good cop, bad cop according to the situation. The kids would play, laugh, run around and the journey went on. When we hit north India, and were nearing Delhi, we were engulfed by thick dense fog, and there was 0 visibility. This was rather thrilling as we in Hyd, don’t get to experience this.
Ibn Battuta, a famous explorer once quoted that Travelling – it leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller. I have one such story to tell, from my unforgettable trip to Delhi.
For the past three months, I was totally consumed by work thanks to a new role, additional responsibilities and dollops of stress that comes along with it. My wanderlust was getting the better of me. I had the urge to run away someplace far, to rejuvenate and unwind.
Then as though my prayers had been heard, i get a phone call from my most favorite and dearest uncle. As usual he invited me to come to delhi, where he stays with the rest of our family. And without a second thought, i jump at the offer and decide to ehad north, with my younger sister. Some of the best plans are unplanned and spontaneous.I kept my workload on the backburner and booked the train tickets.
We were supposed to travel on the Xmas day, and return back home in the new year. Anyway it was vacation season so.. Dad was pretty concerned as we were just the two of us, girls, that too traveling all by ourselves, that too to the north, especially Delhi, for the first time!
We were given strict instructions, not to speak to anybody, not to divulge any personal information or act naive in the journey. As soon as i boarded the train, i wanted to get my act together and maintained a countenance that i belonged to the Adam’s family, and never knew how to smile.
The fortress in my mind was broken because i was lucky to have families and decent people around, with their toddlers and munchkins.
Kids have this natural tendency to bring out the kid in everybody around them , you don’t have to act rude or be mean. I was pleasantly observing parents who seemed really strict, hold their kids in their arms, sing lullabys, be the good cop, bad cop according to the situation. The kids would play, laugh, run around and the journey went on. When we hit north India, and were nearing Delhi, we were engulfed by thick dense fog, and there was 0 visibility. This was rather thrilling as we in Hyd, don’t get to experience this.
After a lot of waiting and delay we finally reached. As soon as I got down from the train, apart from my uncle and aunt, the chilling, biting, Delhi air, slapped our faces and welcomed us. This was a one-of-its-kind experience, this peak wintry frosty chilly breeze.The usual exchange of hugs, kisses, chatter followed.
Day 1: India gate & Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Cannaught Place
It was good to actually be at the places, that were aired on the news channel.I felt happy and proud to see the Presidential palace and the monumental India gate.
After that we headed to Cannaught Place (CP), which is like the most happening and buzzing street in Delhi. It is the commercial hub of Delhi. Be it street shopping or flaunting big labels, this is the place to go for shopaholics.
After that we headed to Cannaught Place (CP), which is like the most happening and buzzing street in Delhi. It is the commercial hub of Delhi. Be it street shopping or flaunting big labels, this is the place to go for shopaholics.
I was awestruck when i actually saw our great Indian flag, right at the center of CP. This being the capital city of India, is bound to have flags around, but that was the mother of all flags, huge and beautiful, with the tri-colour looking dramatic, up in the air. I was swelling up with patriotism myself and my cousins started singing some patriotic songs too.
Day 2:Time for some fun
My youngest sister, Nikki wanted to go to an amusement park called WOW (World of Wonders). I was all game initially and thought how bad can it be, I can do it. But when I went there, I literally started getting cold feet Rides that take you high up in the air, drop you mid way, rides that somersault you in all directions.
The youngest of us all, was excited to sit in all the rides. I had goosebumps all over and when asked to join them in the rides, i would simply escape by saying,” You guys go first, i would click pictures, see you enjoy, and then sit with you”.It was fun to see them enjoy and have a blast. Finally it was my turn too to join them, and i was trembling. I suffer from Acrophobia-fear of heights. Then i thought ‘Dar ke aage jeet hai':D. I prayed to the almighty, mustered up some courage and sat on some of the most terrfiying rides. I yelled and screamed, but ultimately felt relieved that i tried and overcame my fears.
This was followed by a movie and then we called it a day.
Day 2:Time for some fun
My youngest sister, Nikki wanted to go to an amusement park called WOW (World of Wonders). I was all game initially and thought how bad can it be, I can do it. But when I went there, I literally started getting cold feet Rides that take you high up in the air, drop you mid way, rides that somersault you in all directions.
The youngest of us all, was excited to sit in all the rides. I had goosebumps all over and when asked to join them in the rides, i would simply escape by saying,” You guys go first, i would click pictures, see you enjoy, and then sit with you”.It was fun to see them enjoy and have a blast. Finally it was my turn too to join them, and i was trembling. I suffer from Acrophobia-fear of heights. Then i thought ‘Dar ke aage jeet hai':D. I prayed to the almighty, mustered up some courage and sat on some of the most terrfiying rides. I yelled and screamed, but ultimately felt relieved that i tried and overcame my fears.
This was followed by a movie and then we called it a day.
Day 3:History comes alive @ Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Purana Qila
Meena Bazaar
Purana Qila
Day 4:Akshardhaam, Humayun’s Tomb
Day 5: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
The temperatures had dropped suddenly, but we decided to go to Agra.
The temperatures had dropped suddenly, but we decided to go to Agra.
As soon as we hit the famous Yamuna Expressway, the fog decided to play hide and seek with us. There was 0 visibility. All of us had our hearts in our mouths, as driving with 0 visibility, with no clarity on what lies ahead or behind us on the road, was an epic experience. We kept driving with the fog lights and hazard lights on at maybe 30-40 km/hr speed. The sun looked like the moon literally. We could not see what was on our left or right. This continued for some hours. Then we decided to come up with a strategy and follow a car that overtakes us, to actually cut through the fog. We finally reached an eatery after hours as we were driving at the speed of 30-60 kn/hr, where we stopped for breakfast and break. The same scene continued till we reached our destination.
When we finally entered, the fog made the Taj also invisible. Until we went real close, we couldn’t see it. It was a dream come true for me, to get to see the majestic, ethereal Taj.
And lo and behold, there it was-one of the masterpieces of Mughal Architecture, most celebrated symbol of love, a perfect tribute to the dead wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It was a ‘Wah Taj’moment! (I was already imagining myself in an ad, starring as Anarkali, in my head. LOLIts glory cannot be described in words, its mathematical symmetry and architecture is worth seeing, on a full moon night, when it is said to glow.
After breathing in the Taj, we headed towards Agra Fort. It was a sheer treat to see the fort, it has such a glorious history associated with it that i can dedicate an entire speech, only to describe its history. The architecture is an interesting blend of Hindu and Islamic Architecture. We saw the living quarters of some of the greatest rulers like Akbar, Shahjahan, etc. I was transported back to the that era, felt i was actually in the Jodha Akbar movie.
Day 6: New Year’s eve
New Year’s eve can get noisy and unsafe, especially with so many girls around So we decided to have a quiet celebration, over a bonfire and delicious spread of gourmet food :D We were accompanied by a sweet neighbor, who made biryani and appetizers for us. We played dumbcharades, ate and drank until it was 12.00 a.m, out on the terrace, on that chilly night. When the clock chimed 12, we yelled, wished each other, prayed and ushered in the new year. It was followed by a lot of calls back home and we retired at 2.00 a.m.
Day 7:Shopping!!
I am a compulsive shopaholic, there is nothing more invigorating at times than to pamper yourself with materialistic nonsense. Retail therapy always works. I went street shopping and spent hours buying goodies for friends and family. we were loaded with shopping bags and souvenirs.
I am a compulsive shopaholic, there is nothing more invigorating at times than to pamper yourself with materialistic nonsense. Retail therapy always works. I went street shopping and spent hours buying goodies for friends and family. we were loaded with shopping bags and souvenirs.
Day 8:Metro ride in Delhi, Time to go home
We had seen everything that Dilli had to offer except for ride in a metro. We did that as well, went to CP again for the last time. Came back home, got ready for our train back home. Saying goodbye is always difficult, especially when you are going away from your loved ones. But as they say ” We depart to meet and meet to depart”.
It was raining when we were leaving Dilli and my uncle always says it’s a good sign.When i was returning home also it was raining. It was a long journey home, and i relived all the memories from my trip, pondered over the new year ahead and what it had to offer. I was relieved and happy to reach home. Because home is where the heart is... .
Sonali Gondane
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