October 1 - 3, 2010

A kind neighbor took us to BWI before 11:00 AM on Friday morning. We checked our bags, went through security, had lunch, and then went to the gate for our 1:15 flight to Newark. We quickly learned that the flight would be delayed until 2:55 then until 4:00. They finally said that anyone with a connecting international flight should take Amtrack to Newark. So we retrieved our suitcases, caught the shuttle and boarded the train which was actually quite nice. Our flight to India was only slightly late but the 777 was mostly comfortable with over 200 movies to keep us amused. When we arrived at Gandhi International Airport (which is a very modern building probably spruced up for the Commonwealth Games), we met up with two CCS members from our flight and four from the flight from Chicago. Our drivers met us outside and we had about a 45 minute drive. The roads were wide, well lit and well paved. The drivers were typical of many places we’ve been – lane markings are a suggestion, but if one honks enough, one can make a three lane road have at least four or five lanes. Disappointingly, we saw no cows in the road. Mostly there are small cars, cycle rickshaws, bicycles, motorbikes, trucks and busses.


We are staying in Hauz Khas which is a middle class gated community. CCS has four flats (apartments) in a huge apartment/condo complex. The flats are just a few minutes’ walk apart. One flat is the main office and place for meals. Three flats are for the CCS volunteers. Ours is probably the least updated but still okay. There is a small kitchen, living room, dining room, one bedroom (ours) and a small bathroom on one floor, and then upstairs, there are two bedrooms, a bath and two balconies which overlook a small park.

We didn’t sleep well either night but we were up early, dressed and ready to go this morning. The whole group (16 of us) met for breakfast and some paperwork. Then we got into four taxis for a day of sightseeing in Delhi, visiting three famous sights. First was the Lotus Temple, the seventh Baha’i temple in the world (there’s one in the US in Chicago). The shape is stunning – like a lotus flower which represents the manifestation of God and is a symbol of purity and tenderness. Our second stop was a popular Hindu temple called Chattarpur Temple. It has many altars to the various goddesses and it was a great place for families to enjoy the day. Our final stop was Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an exquisite stone tower and several tombs and temples all built between 1199 and 1235 AD. We returned home hungry and thirsty and experienced our first Indian lunch. Excellent!



Carol and Harold at Qutub Minar