All In a Morning Jog

It's been my ritual throughout my vast travels and new residences that, when I arrive somewhere new, I jog to explore the fresh, new surroundings. Delhi has been no different. With all its touts of mad traffic and the severe density of people, you wouldn't think that a peaceful stroll down the lovely boulevard would be in the cards, but I've been fortunate in our location at the hospital. Green Park is situated in a relatively quiet neighborhood (for Delhi anyways) nearby one of the cities premier parks, Deer Park (also Hauz Khas and Rose Garden adjoined).

You could just as easily take a taxi of a new area and see more, but your experience is restricted to your sense of sight. You can't smell what's cooking or touch your surroundings. You could go for a walk, but you simply cannot cover much distance in a short amount of time. Yes, exploratory jogs are the way to go for the perfect blend of interaction, scope and excersize while diving into new territory. Plus, you get priceless stares of wonder from the locals, whose fitness is geared a little more towards yoga and mediation and definitely not running. It's pretty hilarious!

So, in attempt to capture what I've come across in one, 45-minute jog and to celebrate my new e-bay-India camera that came the other day, here goes:

This picture was taken literally right across the street from the hospital. Yep, that's a donkey. Also behind the car, is a vendor frying up some naan (Indian flat bread).

After bidding Eeyore a "good morning" it's down through Green Park Market, a cozy little strip

of flowers, (shown right) fruit and chai vendors and other shops of necessities and as well as less necessary establishments (e.g. Sony Center (also shown right), McDonald's and I think a Pizza Hut...grr). Notice the gentleman, middle of the photo to the right, quietly meditating through the surrounding traffic!

At the end of market, but before Deer Park lies this lone majestic temple.

Further down the road on the edge of the park are a whole group of temples and ruins that are perched above the Hauz Khas section of Deer Park.

More ruins above Hauz Khas Park. Notice the lagoon below.

More ruins and the subject, himself.

Still the same collection of ruins. Notice the modern buildings in the background. These contrasting elements of architecture and eras in Delhi are unbelievably common!

On the other side of the walls of the ancient civilasation was this quasi-slum or shanty neighborhood. There was a man asking me not to take pictures and I kindly obliged. But this gentleman insisted he be photographed and the nay-sayer agreed. Behind him to the right begin the shanties and the children were ever so cute and curious!

On the southern border of Deer Park you find the chichi Hauz Khas neighborhood. It's a little hard to tell from this picture, but what a difference a few hundred feet can make in India, as you can compare to the above picture. Either way, such a neat place and super narrow alleyways!

Here is Hauz Khas park with a old temple at the top of this small hill.

This picture shows the "below" view the above picture with the lagoon below. Here's looking up to the ruins from the lagoon.

Between Hauz Khas and the Rose Garden is a forested area where the ubiquitous game of Cricket is being played by neighborhood children.

Peacocks between Hauz Khas and the Rose Garden.

The beautiful and wonderfully aromatic Rose Garden.

And finally, an appropriate picture for Deer Park! I think these are called Hog Deer.

So there you go...this took way longer than it should have and now I'm exhausted and am done! Next time it'll hopefully go a lot quicker, so check back for more soon!