Trauma: the 2008 terrorist attack is still on people's minds (26/11). The military is deployed to key landmarks and hotels and people are watching/waiting. I am told not to take pictures at Victoria Terminus (the train station). I end up visiting/passing many of the site of the attack.
Intensely Urban: the pace is intensely urban. People are constantly moving, and there aren't many places of calm/quiet.
Highly Noticeable class distinctions: that's my intuitive sense, anyway. I get the feeling that people dress their parts. I notice middle-class professionals, working class people, extremely poor people, and folks who are rich/western. Distinction in dress/speech are highly pronounced.
Everyone is eating all the time: I envy this since i'm not eating street food on this trip. The food looks great.
Highlights:
-Jahangir Art Gallery. Terrific contemporary work by young artists. Lots of machine/body, multitude, endless urban landscape themes. Some wonderful bright colored pieces playing with tourism, sexuality, and self.
-Mutton Omelet at Jahingir Art gallery. Ridiculously Tasty.
-Lesson on Hindu Gods and imagery from antique shop owner. Lord Ganesha rides around on a giant rat, apparently.
-Seeing the house where Ghandi formulated Satyagraha (truth-seeking non-violence). My big takeaway from Ghandi's life is that humility is powerful.
-Being told that the Jasmine flowers on my wrist (proffered "for free" by a young woman outside the Taj, resulting in a deal over the acceptable donation) smelled terrific. Hard to stop and smell the roses in a city of tens of millions.
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