Please Respect the Traffic Lanes

Oh, so so much to say about today. We began the day by driving and touring as we headed to Old Delhi. We met up with a tour guide who took us through the Red Fort. I think my favorite part were the numerous Indian men who creepily walked up to our group and took pictures next to us while we were listening to the tour guide. Our group seems almost like celebrities because we're so different from anyone they've seen. The Red Fort was extremely beautiful, and I especially loved the intricate marble and stone carvings that were created by the Monguls who built the fort. After we toured the Red Fort we went on a heritage walk. WOW. Basically, we walked through Old Delhi, which was unlike anything I have ever seen in my life nor could I ever explain properly. There were people everywhere; there were bikes everywhere; there were rickshaws everywhere, basically anything was there. I honestly don't know how people survive walking along the streets everyday. It was so incredibly amazing, but it was also difficult to attempt to take everything in. There was so much happening, that I couldn't focus on just one aspect. For instance, as were rounding a corner after going through a back alley, there was a man in the far corner who was a snake charmer! He was literally just sitting there with a snake, letting it pet his face. The hardest part to see were the beggars and the children who were extremely poor. You want to give them everything on your back, but it's so incredibly difficult to not do anything. We were told not to give them anything, but I feel so wrong not. During our walk we also stopped and ate at the most amazing restaurant. The food was delicious, and I didn't get sick from it either! Little by little, the food is getting easier to eat. Tomorrow is New Years Eve, and I look forward to celebrating with our group.