We’ve made it! After a long flight, the group arrived in New Delhi yesterday around 11 PM. It was late when we all got through Customs and Immigration, so we headed straight to our hotel, located in the center of Delhi, and ate our first Indian meal together in the hotel restaurant. After eating we went straight to bed so we’d be well rested for our first full day in Delhi the next morning.

This morning we headed to Lodi Gardens, a beautiful public garden space, and sat down to get to know each other a bit more. We discussed group rules and expectations, as well as our plan for the trip, and shared our reasons for coming to India in the first place. We then went to Khan Market, a bustling row of stores and restaurants, where we shopped for Indian clothing and had a delicious lunch at a Persian-influenced restaurant. Finally, we went to Humayan’s tomb, which is a grave complex created for the father of the famous Mughal emperor, Akbar. With characteristic red sandstone and Islamic-influenced architecture, the tomb was certainly a sight to see!

While it was hot, especially during our adventure to the tomb, we stayed hydrated throughout the day and took a break to rest back at the hotel. After resting, we ventured back out once the heat had abated. We took a bus to Haus Khaus, where we took a peaceful stroll as the sun set next to the lake and garden. Afterward, we went to Naivedyam, a restaurant dedicated to South Indian cuisine. The girls got a taste of dosas, sambar, and other typical South Indian dishes. We had a quick group meeting after dinner to go over the next day’s plan, and were in bed with lights out by 10 PM.

Today we are off to our second and last day in Delhi before we head to Kotri Raola, the village in Rajasthan where we will be staying for the majority of the program. We are headed out bright and early to India Gate, the National Museum, and Connaught Place, a famous, circular market in the heart of Delhi. We’ll be walking around, buying snacks to refuel for the train overnight, and finally heading back to the hotel a bit early to wind down, pack, and prepare for our next journey.

Time is already going by so quickly, but we’ve only just begun!

#PutneyToIndia

– Lizzie & Aditya