Things I hit with a bicycle

1. Parked motorbike
2. Cement wall
3. Man with bucket of milk (which of course spilled)
4. Several small children
5. Brick wall
6. Cow
7. Goat
8. Old woman walking
9. Old man sipping Chai
I think you can sense my trepidation here.

Over the weekend, Tricia, Emily, and I took a guided bicycle tour through Old Delhi. My bike riding is non-existent at home so I have no idea why I thought it would be ok for me to attempt it in the insane traffic and road conditions here. The first bike I rode was way too tall for me and I could not put my feet on the ground. It was terrible. I got items 1-8 listed above on my first bike. Finally, one of the tour guides made me switch with another guy who had a smaller bike. I was doing pretty well and was really proud of myself until I reached a narrow alley with a sharp bend...that was when #9 met his fate. Oh the poor citizens of India!

Luckily, no one was hurt and everyone was in pretty good spirits about it. All except the man with the spilled milk. He didn't really believe in the phrase, "There's no point in crying over spilled milk."

The tour itself was great! We got to see Old Delhi, which is narrow, crowded, and extremely busy. Even at 8 AM, I had a difficult time dodging people and animals. We rode past the flower market and went into the spice market, which made every foreigner cough and sneeze, although the natives had no issues whatsoever. We also popped by the Red Fort, a few ancient mosques, and the remaining gates of the city. It was a great way to see the Walled City!


A spice trader, carrying loads of chilli.


A view of Old Delhi.