I have been resisting the temptation to get back to my blog with yet another one about my unwavering love for Delhi! However, by virtue of me heading back to this city for a summer internship, Delhi has swept me off my feet yet again. And, I have finally given into the urge to write about it.
A trip to Delhi in summer? I got to have some major reason! I have. Many!
Now, i don't want to sound bad for Mumbai University, but that place did make me quite passive for the past one year. I noticed that creep up on me, but i was hardly much able to shake it off me. So, the only possible escape route i could envision was a summer stint in Delhi. After much effort, patience, frustration I received a confirmation call from IDSA for a month long internship with them. And, the victory dance that followed was one of a kind!
I also wanted to get back to Delhi before i began my second year in Mumbai (so that i didn't have much Mumbai all over me). I know that's provincial parochialism, but what the hell! I feel the need to list down the things I missed about this place, so I will.
1. The broad, smooth roads. The vast gardens, the Amaltaash and Gulmohar trees which are in full bloom now splashing the city with their bright and delicate yellows and fiery oranges.
2. The DTC buses which have now become smart and swanky. Making the roads look better with their green, red, orange and purple contributions!
3. The extreme weather. The heat has been intense and it has sapped a lot out of me for sure. When I was about to slump on a chair and give up, we had a strong dust storm followed by fat drops of water from the skies shaking my soul up.
4. My all weather friends here. I know this should be right up on this list. But being the friends they are, they won't mind.
5. The dashes of good looking people all around. No matter where one is. (Does that make me sound vain? Do i care? No!)
6. The intelligence all around. IDSA has been an amazingly stimulating experience for me. Having so many people wanting to and doing the things that I aim to and am working towards, I suddenly see things more sorted out for me.
More on IDSA now. The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. A think tank organization and what style! Go on their website if this interests you. I have come across such a large number of interesting people that i feel i needed more time here to take back more with me.
We have 'Research Clusters' at IDSA and the group of interns here who are the fun lot here, have set aside 'Lunch clusters', 'Ice cream clusters' as well.
So, on one of the lunch times, I expressed my desire to make a trip to Old Delhi and my Cabin partner said in almost my style "let's go". It took me some time to realise what she said, and when i did, i couldn't be more thankful! We did go. And the day had to be the hottest Summer day yet- with Delhi searing at 44 degrees. We went for it. A super fast and packed trip down the mystery lanes of Chandni Chowk. Pani Puri-check. Mango Kulfi-check. Now let me write a bit about this piece of heaven called the 'Mango Kulfi'. Alphonso mangoes- de seeded and filled with kulfi and frozen. Served after being sliced and spread on a large leaf made into a bowl. It takes much time to convince oneself to eat it! And when you do, your eyes close out of their own will and you go into a mango world while the kulfi reminds you of its presence time and again. okay, so after that trip to heaven, we headed for the 'Paranthe wali galli' where we saw not-so-appealing men deep frying paranthas on huge pans. It was too hot for that. So, we gave it a skip and headed for the 'Desi Jalebis'. A long walk it was in search of the 'T-junction' which seemed to be running away from us. Almost out of breath and about to collapse, we saw our life savior- the Malai Lassi in Kulhards. One sip and you can almost see your escaping soul come back to you. Just then we noticed a man with a big piece of wood beating the crap out of a big block of ice covered with a big sheet of black rubber on the road. And just when i was thinking..'wow, that's a lot of work on a summer day", I stop stunned as a tiny piece of ice makes itself felt in my mouth! Too late, the lassi is too good to be thrown away. The Lassi guy smiles at us almost saying "We are like that only, kindly adjust and don't mind". We break into shrieks of laughter and head for our destination. Finally, Desi Jalebis! These are supposedly 'Jehangiri Jalebi' that were the Mughal emperor's favourites! We all love such stories, don't we?
What can be better than a cool and fast Metro ride after this crazy day out! The announcer's concern about the traveler's safety.. "Please mind the Gap", "Doors will open on the Left"..bring a tear to my eyes as i remember the ruthless local train rides in Mumbai that i have to return to! Let's not crib about Mumbai here. It just has to be my punching bag. I feel bad.
With just week remaining of my internship here and the first draft of my paper on Cote D'Ivoire gone for scrutiny at my Supervisor's, all I have to do is to look out of my cabin at the palms swaying along the cool winds that have brought a huge respite for all of us here, and listen to the super fun FM Radio.
A trip to Delhi in summer? I got to have some major reason! I have. Many!
Now, i don't want to sound bad for Mumbai University, but that place did make me quite passive for the past one year. I noticed that creep up on me, but i was hardly much able to shake it off me. So, the only possible escape route i could envision was a summer stint in Delhi. After much effort, patience, frustration I received a confirmation call from IDSA for a month long internship with them. And, the victory dance that followed was one of a kind!
I also wanted to get back to Delhi before i began my second year in Mumbai (so that i didn't have much Mumbai all over me). I know that's provincial parochialism, but what the hell! I feel the need to list down the things I missed about this place, so I will.
1. The broad, smooth roads. The vast gardens, the Amaltaash and Gulmohar trees which are in full bloom now splashing the city with their bright and delicate yellows and fiery oranges.
2. The DTC buses which have now become smart and swanky. Making the roads look better with their green, red, orange and purple contributions!
3. The extreme weather. The heat has been intense and it has sapped a lot out of me for sure. When I was about to slump on a chair and give up, we had a strong dust storm followed by fat drops of water from the skies shaking my soul up.
4. My all weather friends here. I know this should be right up on this list. But being the friends they are, they won't mind.
5. The dashes of good looking people all around. No matter where one is. (Does that make me sound vain? Do i care? No!)
6. The intelligence all around. IDSA has been an amazingly stimulating experience for me. Having so many people wanting to and doing the things that I aim to and am working towards, I suddenly see things more sorted out for me.
More on IDSA now. The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. A think tank organization and what style! Go on their website if this interests you. I have come across such a large number of interesting people that i feel i needed more time here to take back more with me.
We have 'Research Clusters' at IDSA and the group of interns here who are the fun lot here, have set aside 'Lunch clusters', 'Ice cream clusters' as well.
So, on one of the lunch times, I expressed my desire to make a trip to Old Delhi and my Cabin partner said in almost my style "let's go". It took me some time to realise what she said, and when i did, i couldn't be more thankful! We did go. And the day had to be the hottest Summer day yet- with Delhi searing at 44 degrees. We went for it. A super fast and packed trip down the mystery lanes of Chandni Chowk. Pani Puri-check. Mango Kulfi-check. Now let me write a bit about this piece of heaven called the 'Mango Kulfi'. Alphonso mangoes- de seeded and filled with kulfi and frozen. Served after being sliced and spread on a large leaf made into a bowl. It takes much time to convince oneself to eat it! And when you do, your eyes close out of their own will and you go into a mango world while the kulfi reminds you of its presence time and again. okay, so after that trip to heaven, we headed for the 'Paranthe wali galli' where we saw not-so-appealing men deep frying paranthas on huge pans. It was too hot for that. So, we gave it a skip and headed for the 'Desi Jalebis'. A long walk it was in search of the 'T-junction' which seemed to be running away from us. Almost out of breath and about to collapse, we saw our life savior- the Malai Lassi in Kulhards. One sip and you can almost see your escaping soul come back to you. Just then we noticed a man with a big piece of wood beating the crap out of a big block of ice covered with a big sheet of black rubber on the road. And just when i was thinking..'wow, that's a lot of work on a summer day", I stop stunned as a tiny piece of ice makes itself felt in my mouth! Too late, the lassi is too good to be thrown away. The Lassi guy smiles at us almost saying "We are like that only, kindly adjust and don't mind". We break into shrieks of laughter and head for our destination. Finally, Desi Jalebis! These are supposedly 'Jehangiri Jalebi' that were the Mughal emperor's favourites! We all love such stories, don't we?
What can be better than a cool and fast Metro ride after this crazy day out! The announcer's concern about the traveler's safety.. "Please mind the Gap", "Doors will open on the Left"..bring a tear to my eyes as i remember the ruthless local train rides in Mumbai that i have to return to! Let's not crib about Mumbai here. It just has to be my punching bag. I feel bad.
With just week remaining of my internship here and the first draft of my paper on Cote D'Ivoire gone for scrutiny at my Supervisor's, all I have to do is to look out of my cabin at the palms swaying along the cool winds that have brought a huge respite for all of us here, and listen to the super fun FM Radio.
8 comments:
Written by someone who knows the pulse of Delhi..I could actually visualize each and every sentence, especially you dancing around on hearing the confirmation of your internship :) Nicely written Ms. Bose, well that's something that we all know you are good at :)
No place in the USA will ever etch your memory like a city in India does.
@Sujat So true
@Arundhati Do a series on Delhi...you are good at it :P
Thanks! Yes, i think with such love for the city, my blog will end up being just about it!
Arunnnnn :) the love for Delhi is pouring in this blog...and now i completely get the feel of what you used to tell us, about you missing Delhi,your longing for it. Wow...
Please stay for one mre month na :(
y arent u interning for 2months?
This is a lovely write up... Won't be easy to walk away from this place.. More so after reading this.
Hey, read your blog for the first time...awesome description of places and food...love it !!!
Ooh, that day was fun! I'm so glad you captured it here :) Wait till I come and meet you in Mumbai. We'll do something just like this there too.
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