Delhi has many parks to accompany its wild and twisty slummy urbany bits. You might think that meandering of a Sunday or an evening through these parks is a relaxing break from the traffic and the smell and the endless endless people. Well this is true up to a point, but the parks bring their own stresses too. When Indian youth couple up often face the dilemma of where to spend time together. A patch of green space offers a temporary respite away from the disapproving eyes of parents and more importantly a place to smooch and cuddle. This is of course quite sweet, but it is often the case that every single bench or nook is occupied by a canoodling twosome. At Victoria Memorial Park in Calcutta a couple is often gifted with a companion, a single man watching them from behind a bush or fence. This is actually more surreal than creepy to watch. Why do they put up with it? Do they really not have anywhere else to go? Well, the park is free I guess.
In Victoria Memorial I watched the hilarious scene of a young man trying to make the move on his lady friend. Every time his hand would get a little too friendly she would slap him across the face and he would retreat. But a few minutes later, the whole scenario would play out again. The smaller neighborhood parks cater less to lovers than to that Indian character: the evening stroller. Indians do not go for a jog in the early morning or evening, they walk. The average walker is middle aged man or woman. Most walkers are alone. They usually take their walking very seriously. And they are often talking on cell phones as they do laps around the park.
In Victoria Memorial I watched the hilarious scene of a young man trying to make the move on his lady friend. Every time his hand would get a little too friendly she would slap him across the face and he would retreat. But a few minutes later, the whole scenario would play out again. The smaller neighborhood parks cater less to lovers than to that Indian character: the evening stroller. Indians do not go for a jog in the early morning or evening, they walk. The average walker is middle aged man or woman. Most walkers are alone. They usually take their walking very seriously. And they are often talking on cell phones as they do laps around the park.
Here are some photos of the delightful Lodhi Gardens where I did NOT canoodle with the BF.
Picnic in the park with the whole family: perfect!
Just don't let the neighbors outdo your spread.
Other things I did this week include going to a Christmas fair. Some old women were not very interested in the attractions.
Alem played bingo.
Alem and I were cute and obnoxious in our matching scarves.
Alem played bingo.
Alem and I were cute and obnoxious in our matching scarves.
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