Three pair legs, two pair wheels – our small Delhi tour.

Day 9: Kailash Colony, Some road alongside Humayun’s Tomb, Khan Market, Greenpark, GK I (M Block market), Nehru Place; Bus route 764 (Nehru Place to Nizammudin Railway Station) – Check.

“And here we… Go!” – Heath Ledger, The Joker, The Dark Knight.

This package was by far the most interesting one. Not just did it include strolling around several spots in Delhi, but this time I had people accompanying me. Majorly, the trip was led by food, and so was the topic of discussion in most of our conversations.
The ride instigated from Bluebells School International, Kailash Colony. I would have loved to say it was fun, but standing in the blazing heat waiting for my friend outside the school doesn’t count as such. However, with the exception of having to stand on the road opposite LSR (Lady Sri Ram) College, which has been a sanctuary for exclusive bird watching in my 11th standard, partially lifted the heat off.
Other than the splendid view Bluebells has to offer, I was amazed at the Metro construction. The road wasn’t subjected to gravel clutter hampering the traffic flow anymore. Or to say, it wasn’t as worse as it was when I left. Nonetheless, it was one of those pockets that have made a definite progression.
From Kailash Colony, we headed to Mount Kailash; our cold drink station. Being only a pick up stop, where I conveniently lost the front seat (let aside the jokes), we headed to “a place”.
I can only describe our next stop as “a place”, because I hardly knew where we were. As a matter of fact, all that was to the place was a curved road, smooth enough to enjoy a hassle free drive without having to “push through”, or “break in”, or even “take over”.
On the left, the surroundings were governed particularly by wastelands with thatched roofed huts and a small room with walls that I can assume would’ve belonged to the medieval times (ironically, there used to be a college there a couple of years ago, but was sealed whilst the Delhi-sealing-rampage was at its peak).
(Forgive me, for this was the first trip where my love for Delhi woke up from the dead, yet I did misspell Delhi in the above paragraph, and it took me a minute to figure out where I went wrong.)
On the right, from what my friend told me, was the Humayun’s Tomb; another site whose corners serve lovers’ secrecy. Again, we didn’t go in there, so I’ll save the details.
Khan Market: our next stop. What we had here were the Indian version of Mc. Donald’s burgers. I hate to repeat this, but British flavours cannot EVER find a place for the finest of Indian ones. And I’m not putting the Mc. Aloo Tikki on top of the ladder of my ‘scrumptious-Indian-delights’ list, but even the European burgers and pizzas – the indigenous food – aren’t ready to prepare its Asian versions.
I have to admit I am terrible with directions; terrible being only an underrated, underwhelmed undercurrent. Considering that, if I say I can guide from Malviya Nagar (where I stay) to Greenpark, it makes sense. However, if someone asks a person who is, by definition, dumb with directions and understanding roadmaps, then how exactly does he deserve being accused (and taunted upon) if he cannot steer the ship safely from Khan Market to Greenpark? (Just to let you know I’m talking of two completely different routes here.)
We drove through residential complexes, main roads, came across two markets which could never qualify to be the main Greenpark market, until finding salvage in an auto driver’s direction sense. It was amazing how people talk a great deal in a quick snap of words – “third left, second right”, was all that he filled us with – and we were there!
And then came in the real food. I really wish I could post pictures here (that being, if I had them), but the Indian flavours we had were nothing short of stupendous. “Evergreen” was our stop, a restaurant cum sweet shop that looms over its adjacent Madras cafes and takes twice their size.
The list was mouth watering: Pav Bhaji, Chole Bhature, Gol Gappe, Aloo Tikki and Papri Chaat. And for desert, which by the way no one shared, leaving me overwhelmed with gratefulness, I had the saffron flavoured Ras Malai. It is far beyond understanding the desperation I held towards these food items, being the perfect extension after last night’s fantabulous Mughalai feast.
So much so, owing to the plethora of food items we ordered, we even saved the bill. That is being planned to be pinned up on the board in our rooms.
Out of all, Gol Gappe is in particular, the dearest to me. Yes, food can sometimes be your lover! It’s quite intriguing to make your own set of Gol Gappe by filling it firstly with potatoes and sweet chutney, and then filling it up with cold, green, tangy flavoured water. If you ask my friends, food could perhaps prove to be the sole reason why I would want to stay back in Delhi.
I quite don’t understand why does the M Block market in GK I get the attention it does not quite deserve. If you’re asking for newness, there is none, apart from a fountain throwing out uneven streams of water from a considerable height. All that M Block engulfs in its rectangular framed market, with a par in the center that acts as a playground for toddlers, are international brands of clothing, restaurants and coffee shops; street shopping is an active facility for the shoppers, be it dirt cheap tee shirts, accessories or books; the mind numbing traffic.
The final drive was from GK I to Nehru Place. Nehru Place still retains the quintessential Delhi charm – crowdedness and street shopping. However, the part I covered was its bus station. Well, primarily because that is where I had to catch the bus from.
Route 764 – something that has served me for years. Right through my under graduation, to my training at HCL Noida, or being the not so quiet frequent visits to my friends; route 764, which originates from Nehru Place and drops me off at Sadhana Enclave, has been the nucleus of my commutation. Standing at the spot I normally would stand, with the Rs. 5 ticket in my hand, it was unimaginable how the journey, (which normally would be a tormenting 15 minute ride, hopping over three flyovers and trying to take over a million cars at one time) would turn out to be pleasing. Through Chittranjan Park, Chirag Delhi, Soami Nagar and finally Sadhana Enclave, there was no pain to be experienced, even in a bus where I stood surrounded by people emanating their sweat stink.