recovery

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I am finally feeling better, after my second illness since arriving in India. I saw a great doctor yesterday at the Max Medical Clinic -- my home away from home! -- who seemed to get the "big picture." He said I have a virus, no need for medications, and that my immune system is basically getting "primed." In other words, it's all good! It is all part of adjusting ....

In the meantime I have watched a LOT of television, including several excellent programs about the one-year anniversary of the tsunami. The news was generally that the incredible generosity of people here and abroad has helped the survivors recover. People have built houses, restored fishing boats and much more. I will find out more when I am in the south (which is where the tsunami struck India).

I celebrated getting my appetite back by taking Meera and Varada out for lunch to Flavours, one of Ajay's favourite places. Flavours is an Italian cafe, situated on a garden, and apparently one of the few non-Indian owned establishments in India. (India is not really open to foreign ownership.) I had pizza and two desserts: creme caramael and chocolate mousse. It was delicious. I didn't realize until I started eating that I was desperate for a break from Indian food (compounded by losing my appetite while I was sick).

Today I went to meet my new friend Joytsna at the Hyatt Regency, a gorgeous five-star hotel about 20 munites drive from Panscheel Park (home). We sat in the garden by the pool and ate fresh fruit, danishes, hot chocolate, etc. Joytsna is flying home to Germany tonight so I don't know when I will see here again, though she and her German husband want to visit Canada. She is especially interested in Nova Scotia (I don't blame her!).

I had a car for half the day, so I had the driver take me around Delhi. I wanted to see the embassy district, the President's House and Rajpath, the very wide boulevard that runs between the President's House and India Gate. The centre of the British built capital, the spot from where the conqueror's ruled the "jewel in the crown" (which is how the British referred to India). Holy roman empire batman! I couldn't believe it. The area is masssive and intended obviously to intimidate. An exercise in power. The British really had delusions of grandueur! (My pictures do not do this area justice.)

The only thing I have seen that compares is Versailles in France.

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Photos

Meera and I ...
... at Flavours Cafe.

Varada in the garden
at Flavours.

at the Hyatt
after having lunch with Joytsna.

almost there
This is a picture of Ajay in front of the gate to Humuyan's tomb. The last pic before my camera battery died.

a tomb
Part of the complex that surrounds the magnificent Humuyan's tomb.

Rajpath buildings
I think this is part of the Indian pariliament buildings on Rajpath.

looking west
I took this out of the back of the taxi, looking west along Rajpath. The dome of the President's House is sticking up in the background.

looking east
And this was taken out the front of the taxi, looking east along Rajpath towards India Gate. Less smog / fog would certiaily help make these pictures clearer.

an amazing coincidence
This house is across the street from where I am staying in Delhi. It is the house of my good friend Sanjay's brother. Isn't that unbelievable.

Comments

[Rohan Jayasekera]

Two desserts!
I've often had to choose, with great difficulty, between crème caramel and chocolate mousse, those being my two favourite "standard" desserts. Thank you for showing me the proper solution. Rohan

[Rachael]

I am astonished!
Wow, you even have television!! When are you going to Kerala? You have to experiece bith forsure, alot of people from Delhi thought I was crazy for going to the Jungle, they said "why would you go there" follow Holy Cow's example and do it all.