Delhi/Day 4 (Final Day)

Our last full day, we slept in. Actually the first day we were able to do so on the trip! Enjoyed the hotel buffet breakfast and then we returned to the room for a while. Since this was really a business trip for Andy and I was just tagging along, he had some work to tackle. He spent several hours catching up on emails and getting things done. I spent my time reading and crocheting. I have been crocheting a blanket. But it is a gift, so I don't want to tell you for who or why. Eventually, I will finish and give the gift and THEN post some pictures. Until then, I will leave you in suspense. Finally, we headed out late in the afternoon. We wanted to finish some shopping and visit one of the mosques in Old Delhi. At the mosque we had heard that you could climb up in one of the minarets and see a fabulous view of Delhi. Earlier in the week, Andy had told me a story of how one of his high school teachers and his wife had visited India. After taking their shoes off to visit a temple, his wife got an infection that made her so sick she almost died. Silly man, why did he tell one of the great worriers on the planet this in the midst of our trip? I have had issues with my feet in the past, so of course, it was with great trepidation that I took off my shoes and entered the Friday Mosque. Wouldn't you be just a bit worried after hearing that? He confessed later that he should have told me that bit of knowledge after the trip. Ha! But the view proved to be worth it. We finished the day off at Karim's, a famous restaurant near the mosque. We had such a great time together on this trip and while seeing the sights was part of it, really it was just the time together. And getting to adventure together was a real treat. Thank you, Alyssa for watching our kids and allowing us to do this together. You may have wondered how the kiddos fared. They were fine. Sure, there were moments, but overall they listened well to her and just continued normal life each day. Quick funny Tori story: Alyssa's husband Billy was traveling for part of the time she was watching the kids. When the driver came to drop Billy at off at our house, Tori heard them outside. She asked Alyssa, "Are our parents home?" Alyssa was a little worried that she would not like the answer, but she told her, "No, it is just Billy." Tori's response:

"Yay! Now we have a dad!"

That girl cracks us up.

The courtyard of the Friday Mosque.  This mosque is huge and can seat 25,000 in the courtyard for prayers. And we climbed to the top of a tower just like the one you see at the right of the main structure.

In the very narrow, spiral stairs inside the minaret leading up to the top. It was hot inside! The extra robe that I was required to wear didn't help any. And then between the heat and climbing in a circle for quite a while, by the time I got to the top, I was dizzy.

These guys asked us to take a picture. They hadn't brought a camera of their own so they gave us email address and asked if we could send them a copy. Andy took one of just them. But then (no surprise) they asked me to be in one with them. Always humbling to be taller than the men. It's funny because I am okay with my height, but China and it seems India as well, emphasize it quite a bit.

At the top of the tower. I am not a fan of heights. Hmm, can you tell that from this photo? This one makes Andy laugh. I wouldn't let go of the metalwork. It was just too high, and I was feeling slightly quite a bit nervous. 

View from the top down into the courtyard and in the distance the Red Fort.

Looking into another direction. Doesn't the city just seem to go on forever? There are no real tall high rises, but the city just sprawls in all directions.

One of the streets by the Friday Mosque. Can you spot the sign pointing to the restaurant where ate dinner at -- Karim's?