Twenty US dollars gets you 1250 Indian Rupees. Things to purchase include Indian silver ornaments, silk fabrics, beautifully hand-embroidered clothes and bags and scarves with stunning prints and embroidery and jewellery of all types. Also a silk and wool rug that Bryan fancied. It's being shipped to our address in Cape Town.
As for eating, we have done too much of that. Thanks to the generosity and hospitality of the people we have spent time with, we have enjoyed new flavours and too much of them. A dessert called Gujab Jamun is served hot and resembles the South African koeksister minus the plaited shape. Delicious. Meeting for a dinner party at 20:30 is unusual. Snacking from the time people arrive until dinner is served is even more so, but eating dinner at 22:30 is by far the most unusual. Dinner consists of three or four curry dishes, salad, rotis, fried okra, chutneys and vegetable dishes. You are expected to eat dessert after all of that and not one but from a selection of six different dishes. Astounding. Mostly eaten with hands as well. I have skipped breakfast for two days because dinner was substantial and very late.
It has been a lovely experience and I was sad to say goodbye to new friends today. India is diverse and yet so similar to South Africa in many ways. The interesting history of New Delhi and it's current way of life will stay with us when we depart for Europe tomorrow evening.