On the second day of our trip, dad and I went on a guided bike ride through old Delhi. I almost got run over maybe 50 times, and I ran into a rickshaw. I also got a flat tire, but it was still amazing. I also learned an Indian saying; You need three things for driving in India. Good gas, good brakes, and good luck. This is an absolutely crazy place.
We also went to a spice market and mosque in old Delhi. It really smells interesting and makes you cough because when people are carrying spicy red chilis around the market, some drop and people step on them, releasing the smell into the air.
This is our view from the top of the wall surrounding the spice market.
This is the mosque made by one of the queens of Shah Jahan. She was unhappy that he built the Taj Mahal for one of his other wives, so she made this out of expensive red sandstone to make people remember that she was also a queen.
This is people praying at the mosque. Did you know that in some of the Indian cultures, people believe in the god Allah, and the prophet Muhammed. Muhammed was the most important of the prophets, and was the one that told people about Islam through Allah’s instruction. The birthplace of the prophet Muhammed is a city called Mecca. Mecca is in the Middle East, so people pray in that direction.
This is the delicious breakfast we had at Karim’s. The chef’s ancestor used to cook at the red fort. This is the restaurant that he made first. It has been standing for over 200 years.
This is my awesome bike guide Jibbon, who helped us through the whole thing. I really like how he was informative, but didn’t overload your head with information.
Fanatical Sabbatical 
Connor! I love your posts. Your bike ride sounds amazing! I’ve never heard the phrase “Good gas, good brakes and good luck,” but it seems apt. The most terrifying drive of my life was in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and I’ve been on a LOT of terrifying drives all over the world. I’d love to hear from you what YOUR most terrifying drive (or bike ride) of the trip turns out to be.
Thanks also for sharing such interesting historical tidbits. I did know that the Taj Mahal was built out of love for the queen, but I didn’t know the bit about the black temple Shah Jahan wanted to build across the river! Nor did I know about the red mosque another of “his” queen’s built out of envy — do you know what her name was? Fascinating.
It sounds like you’re hitting just the right mix of historical culture, contemporary culture, and adventure and fun. I’m looking forward to reading many, many more of your posts!
Have fun, and I can’t wait to hear more about your trip when you get back!
Darryl
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