India Day 3 - Delhi

Up at 7am this morning for the start of our Intrepid India getaway tour. 15 in total with our guide Preeanka; 2 Americans, 2 Belgium, 1 Pommy Australian, 1 Australian Pom and the rest Australian. 6 guys, so we are outnumbered, and guess what, I'm the oldest bastard and Isabel the youngest. Stuck with toast and coffee before we set off for the day.
First we went to the Karol Bagh Metro station and caught the train ( with a change from blue to yellow line) to Chandni Chowk we we started our meander through the markets. This is Old Dehli and it is obvious immediately. Wires everywhere, narrower roads, laneways etc. and sooo busy. Stopped at a good vendor for a marsala chai which was hot and sweet, not bad. Then on to the Jama Masjid  which is the largest Muslim mosque in India able to sit 25000 for prayer. We were able to walk around but not inside and for an extra 100 rupee we walked up one of the minaret for a higher viewpoint. The 121 steps were very steep and narrow but was worth the climb and getting intimate with those you passed. It was still quite foggy this morning and this actually added to the atmosphere.
From here we walked to the Gurwara Sis Gang Sahib Hindu temple where we had to remove our shoes and socks to enter and even the men had to cover their head. Apparently I didn't do a very good job of this by the look on the face of the rather large guy who replaced my efforts before we entered. A beautiful temple with chanting (all words on the multiple screens) and the "holy book" which is where he was beheaded, but more impressive was the Langer food hall. All food donated and made by volunteers it was for rich and poor alike who wished to eat.
From here we wound our way through the spice market, an overwhelming assault on the senses and stopped at one shop for and explanation. It was then a continuation through the streets past the wedding shops until we stopped for some late lunch. Had some Dosi, large flat bread with potatoes curry and finished with a creamy ifcream stick that tasted like a banana paddle pop.
It was the back to the HP via the Metro to chill for an hour (a cold kingfisher) and collect our bags before catching a cab to New Delhi railway station.
Now this was fun, 4 cabs in convoy through the mayhem of Dehli traffic. Absolute chaos, as there were multiple hold ups, we hit 2 cars, one other cab hit a person (only on the elbow/side apparently) and we finally arrived 20 minutes before the train departed. Talk about stress levels raised!!!!!
Walked to platform 13 and down to our sleeper carriage B1, and got on to find people already in our seats.  Negotiations commenced by Preeanka finally got things sorted and after a couple of hours every one had a seat and bed. I ended up seated to a lady who had just retired after 40 years as deputy head of trading of the India secretary department. Fascinating conversation over a number of hours and she was going to Varanasi for a seven day religious retreat to study with her Guru.
Continuous parade of people selling food, coffee and chai, both railway employees (green vest) and hawkers. 10 rupee for coffee and biscuits. 7 rupee for the coffee but so they don't have to give change you must buy the 3 rupee biscuits, classic.
Put up my bed, the back of our seat as I had the middle, Isabel top and the old lady bottom. Bloody squishy and hard to get into is all I can say. Warm so need for a blanket, and even with all the noises, movement, didn't take long to fall asleep.