Julie India 19 Comments

During our time in New Delhi, our visit to chaotic Old Delhi was a highlight. This is a crazy place, with the traffic, noise, congestion, and even the odd smells we encountered. A walk through chaotic, Old Delhi is something to consider doing on your visit to India.

Our Experience in New Delhi

New Delhi, the capital of India, is a city we all really enjoyed.  Most tour books and travel sites usually warn first time travelers to avoid this city because it can be so overwhelming.  We totally disagree with this statement.  Yes, there are areas that are packed with people and are absolute mayhem, but compared to other Indian cities we found New Delhi to be cleaner, quieter, and a lot more modern.

Here you can eat great authentic Indian food or find outstanding western restaurants.  There are modern malls and even an amusement park.  New Delhi also has its fair share of ancient ruins and landmarks and museums.  There is plenty here for everyone.

We spent a total of five days in New Delhi. Our stay was this long because we needed the time to get our visas for Myanmar.  This process took three days and three visits to the embassy…getting visas are never easy or straightforward!

We spent some time visiting the New Delhi landmarks but I will admit, we did go shopping in a mall and even spent a day at Adventure Island, New Delhi’s very small amusement park.  We have found that when traveling for so long, it’s nice to do something fun, especially those things that remind you of home.  Tyler and Kara were in desperate need to “just have fun,” and Adventure Island was the perfect escape for them.

Chaotic Old Delhi, India

You can’t come to New Delhi without visiting “old Delhi.”  This is the oldest area of Delhi, a tangle of ancient streets and alleyways, filled with all kinds of shops, jam packed with people, and this is the place to go for chaos and mayhem.

India Chaos

We are constantly attracting stares as we pass people on the streets. People constantly approach us for photos, sometimes politely asking us first and at other times “reverse” photo bombing us. We cannot visit a tourist site without attracting a large crowd of people. It was fun and entertaining three weeks ago in Mumbai but now it is exhausting. We have learned to keep moving; once we stop people flock towards us for those photos they want so badly.

I am beginning to wonder how many photo albums our family will be featured in.

New Delhi India

Chandni Chowk

After visiting the Red Fort we walked down Chandni Chowk, the main thoroughfare through Old Delhi.  This road is insane.  It is a wide road, flanked with sidewalks on both sides of the streets.

It is almost impossible to walk down the sidewalks in India (if they even exist).  Shops and food carts spill out onto the sidewalk, people and cars park here, and when the roads really get crowded, it is not unusual for bikes and motorcycles to drive down the sidewalks.

So we mostly walk in the street, as unsafe as that sounds. This is just as crazy, with motorbikes and tuk-tuks constantly blaring their horns, cycle rickshaw drivers insistently offering to take us somewhere “for a cheap price…just 50 rupees!,” and the occasional car or tuk-tuk traveling against traffic.  Meanwhile, shopkeepers are trying to lure us into their stores and men on the street are trying to get us to visit their carpet store or silk factory.

It is all very bamboozling. This is India.

Water in India

Meeting the People

The people are also very friendly. Kids love to wave to us and say hello. Adults like to strike up conversations with us, curious where we are from (most people think we are German). Other than the dangers from the roads, drinking water and illness, we have never felt unsafe here. Crime, at least in the cities we have visited, has not been an issue at all.

Tim in Delhi

Kids in Delhi India

Sleeping rickshaw driver

 

We wandered our way through the narrow alleyways of Old Delhi.  We passed by shops selling jewelry, saris, cell phones, food, paper, books, clothing, shoes, toys, you name it.  There was nothing of interest that we wanted to buy but it was fascinating walking through these tight, crowded alleyways.

Delhi sign

Jama Masjid Mosque

A visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque and its tower gave us slightly good views over Old Delhi. We sat on the steps and ate a snack as the muezzin played from one of its minarets. Again, curious locals gathered around us and not so discreetly took photos of us.

Jama Masjid Mosque

Rickshaws instead of Schoolbuses

Our walk continued through Old Delhi. School had just let out and kids were taking cycle rickshaws home instead of school buses. Traffic in the streets was almost at a standstill.

Indian rickshaw

Old Delhi India street

Old Delhi India

Delhi Street India

Food stand India

Family travel Delhi India

Haircuts in Chandni Chowk

It has been almost two months since Tim and Tyler had their haircut.  Tyler was dreading having his hair cut while in India.  Tim looked at it like it was another adventure for us… and it was.

It just so happened that Tim noticed a barber chair on a street corner right on Chandni Chowk. What better place to get your hair cut in India…on one of its craziest street corners on one of its craziest streets. We looked at the barber’s comb and scissors. They were dirty and ancient looking so Tim had some second thoughts. Still, he hopped right into the barber’s chair.

Street haircut India

Hair cut supplies

Tim definitely attracted a crowd. The kids and I watched as Tim’s hair was cut. People passing by would stop and watch for a few minutes and then move on.

Next, it was reluctant Tyler’s turn. He climbed into the chair and the barber went to work. Just like Tim, Tyler got a very nice haircut. Now we are all wondering if Tim and Tyler will get lice. To be on the safe side, we have been using separate combs and pillows. I think it will be a miracle if we can get through this trip without someone getting lice or bed bugs (you may be interested in reading Worst Travel Moments while Going Around the World)!

Tyler getting haircut

Haircut in Delhi

India Travel Guide

Next Adventure: The Delhi Metro

To get back to our hotel, which was located in much quieter South Delhi, we rode the Delhi Metro for the first time. Like most other things, we were expecting hot, run down, slow metro trains but we were very pleasantly surprised. The metro system and its trains were very modern and clean. But it was approaching rush hour and it would be a very crowded ride.

The train approached and it was already packed with people. Our group pushed our way on board, filling every space available. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any more crowded, we’d pull up to another station and more people wedged their way in. All of our bodies were pressed together, and poor Tyler and Kara, with their shorter heights, were staring into the chests and backs of these people. Kara absolutely hates crowded metro rides…I think it’s her least favorite thing in the world. As we got closer to our station, the crowd eased up a little, but this was still the most crowded metro ride we have experienced.

Delhi metro

The Journey Continues…

New Delhi was a great stop on our itinerary. We had plenty of downtime, got our visas, did some sightseeing and shopping, and visited the amusement park. It was not nearly as intimidating or overwhelming as people say, but we did have four weeks of India under our belt so we were familiar with how things work here.

Now begins our last week in India. Next we fly to Varanasi, India’s holiest city. I am expecting things to get harder but also much more fascinating.


More Information about India

PLACES TO GO IN INDIA: Journey through India in photos. Go on a camel safari in Jaisalmer, see the Taj Mahal, visit Varanasi, and see the beautiful temples in Khajuraho. 

MUMBAI: Find out what it is like to take a food tour in Mumbai, what it is like to visit Dharavi, and see Mumbai in photos.

TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here is a long list of great travel books to feed your wanderlust and a list of the best travel movies.

Are you planning a trip to India? Read all of our articles about India in our India Travel Guide.

 

Old Delhi India photography

 

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Comments 19

  1. Avatar for Sandeep Kumar
  2. Avatar for Elisa
    Elisa

    I also agree with you – Delhi is a good first-time destination in India. It’s metro system is efficient and walking in Delhi is relatively safe. I spent there around 10 days and never was harassed.
    I absolutely love the pictures, especially where your child is getting a haircut!

  3. Avatar for Vishal Kapur
  4. Avatar for Prince Hire Cabs
  5. Avatar for Best Adventure in Delhi-NCR
  6. Avatar for Rohit
    Rohit

    Hi Tim,

    I was reading your article and I am very happy that you experiences some drizzling days in New Delhi.

    My name is Rohit and I am residing in New Delhi. Just would like to tell that you merely visited more best place you could have visited to more cherished places within 6 days you stayed here. Possibility that you have get connected with any one of the tour guide here. He took you and your family to this crowded places. But believe me I always suggest my fellow foreigner friends that not to get engaged with any tour guide.

    I will friendly recommend you that next time if you visit my country, do your homework yourself for every places you wanna visit on your own. This is a best suggestion to you from my side. Also, before buying anything here, do confirm with locals for the prices.

    Loved to read your article! I was just checking an itinerary for Europe on website and get pinned with this.

    Thank you Tim. Lots of love from India. Do mail me if want to know anything.

    Regards,
    Rohit

  7. Avatar for Ghoomodelhi
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