You walk through the crowds of people; your eyes are transfixed on the incredible amount of colours in such a crowded place. Looking mostly at your feet to be sure you know what you’re stepping on, in or around, you see the flashes of women’s sari’s as they pass you. Bright orange, blue, red, pink and green are swirled into a blur, as if God had a hunger for abstract art and used this city as his canvas to splatter with colour.
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! An orchestra of monotonous tones ensures that silence is never heard. Overwhelming are the traffic routes of whatever lies ahead, in front, behind and beside you, as auto-rickshaws, bicycle rickshaws, pedestrians, goats, cows, cars and stray dogs all move past you in conflicting directions – a real life game of Frogger, without the extra lives.
With each new step and each new moment trying to avoid being hit, comes a new smell. Your nose feels more confusion than anything else, trying desperately to determine if you are in a public bathroom or an aromatic kitchen. Hopeless it is in predicting whether the smoke cloud you are about to walk into will bring the wonderful smell of burning lavender incense, or the harsh stench of a burning petroleum product.
Sensory overload.
You are in Old Delhi, and somehow, it is one of the most beautiful experiences you have ever had.
Hello Graeme,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Olaf, I am a friend of your dad. I just read your description of your walk through Old Deli, I am agast at the very real image you have left in my mind and heart. It was as if I were walking beside you without sight. You told me all that you are experiencing at the same time including the smell the sounds and the colours. Thank u so much for that. I will try to catch up on your journey in the next few days.
Oh please take lots of photos. If u need more memory cards let me or your dad know I have lots for u.
I am an artist with a love for colour and life.