Riding a rickshaw through the streets of Old Delhi

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There is no better way of seeing and understanding India’s capital than by taking a ride on back a rickshaw through the streets of Old Delhi. Built in 1639 as the Mughal capital Shahjahanabad ( شاه جهان آباد) the intensely crowded and dilapidated streets of Old Delhi remain the heart and soul of the city and are a sight to see.  For the narrow, shadowy streets of Old Delhi offer a glimpse into what life was once like and still is for millions of Indians.

On back of a rickshaw, be prepared to be thrust into humanity and taken away by all one’s senses. The sights, smells, sounds, feel and taste of the place is enough to put any reasonable person over the edge. It is an overwhelming experience especially in the midst of Delhi’s infamous summer heat with highs reaching the unbearable 120 degrees. Yet it is an experience of a lifetime that will shed light onto this vibrant country filled with complexity and contradictions in every aspect of life.

Here are the photos taken from the bumpy ride on back of a rickshaw through the narrow streets of Old Delhi ( I was unable to stop so all these photos were taken in motion).  I left the ones of my driver in this set so you can see how incredibly narrow these streets are to manage on a rickshaw. Sadly, most rickshaw drivers barely make ends meet and oftentimes live on the street next to their rickshaw fighting to survive. Another tragedy of Old Delhi is the state of the buildings. Many are falling apart and recently one collapsed to the ground in the middle of the night while 35 people slept right through their death. It is one of many sad realities of life on the streets of India. 

Climbing on board. Note I am wearing a scarf over my head to keep the intense sun off.

And then emerging once again back into the heart of Delhi, rubbing my eyes to make sure what I just saw was actually real.

40 thoughts on “Riding a rickshaw through the streets of Old Delhi”

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes so true. Even in the slums. Yet on close examination many of the young children were dirty but not as dirty as some of the children I’d seen in rural Nepal.

      Reply ↓
  2. restlessjo – Hi! I’m Jo! Johanna when I’m feeling posh, Jan to my Dad, and Joasiu to my Polish family. A bit of a mix-up, that’s me. The one constant, however, is my restless nature. I love to travel and to explore our world. It doesn’t have to be the big wide world. I can be ridiculously happy not too far from home, so long as I’m seeking new horizons. Of course I have a wish list, and it was to help me fulfil my dreams that I started to write travel guides for a venture called Simonseeks. I’d always kept a travel diary, and it was hugely satisfying to share my experiences and to make new friends who shared my passion for travel. Alas, Simonseeks hit a few troubles, but I still find myself writing about my travels. I’ve become addicted. I’d love to share them, and to make more friends. So, it has to be a blog- right? Or do I mean- write?
    restlessjo on said:

    There seems to be an abundance of food, Nicole, but so many mouths to feed!
    That tangle of overhead wires is horrifying. We really can’t imagine a life like this.

    Reply ↓
  4. anotherjennifer – Brunswick, Maine – Jennifer Iacovelli is an author, blogger and nonprofit unicorn. Based in Brunswick, Maine, she’s a proud single mom of two boys and two Siberian huskies. Her books include The Mother Of All Meltdowns and Simple Giving: Easy Ways to Give Every Day. Her work has been featured on HuffPost Divorce, Maria Shriver, GOOD, BlogHer, ONE, USAID Impact, Feed the Future, PSI Impact blog and more. Her passions are writing, philanthropy, her awesome kids, bacon and lifting heavy objects, though not necessarily in that order.
    anotherjennifer on said:

    Amazing photos, Nicole. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Jennifer! Still so many more to share! And more stories to tell! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes indeed! So incredibly hot. But it was for social good and an NGO trip. Thus the insane heat was nothing compared to what some many people in India live with on a daily basis. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  6. નિરવ – Hello , હું છું નિરવ . એક Engineering Graduate . હું રાજકોટ’નો રહેવાસી છું . અને આ બ્લોગ વડે હું તમને Books અને Movies ની મસ્ત સફરે લઇ જાઈશ . . ! એવી સફર કે જે 2000 + મુવીઝ { 2017'ની શરૂઆતે } અને ઘણી બધી બુક્સ પછી પણ ફડાકાભેર આગળ વધી રહી છે . તો જોતા રહેજો નિરવની નજરે . . . અને સાંભળતા રહેજો NiravSays ;) ઇપત્ર સરનામું : નિરવ.વાંચે.છે@જીપુરુષ.કોમ :D - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hello I am Nirav , an Engineering Graduate . I live at Rajkot { Gujarat } / INDIA { ASIA } / Earth { Solar System } / Orion Arm { MilkyWay Galaxy } / Local Group { Virgo Supercluster } – UNIVERSE :D . . . & through this blog , i would take you all towards the Journey of Mysterious Island of Books & Movies ;) The journey is still going at rocket speed after completing the 2000 + [ at the beginning of 2016 ] movies & lots of books .
    નિરવની નજરે . . ! on said:

    do you know hindi ? how did you had a conversation with them ?

    Nirav .

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      No, unfortunately not! I had an English speaking guide sitting next to me on the rickshaw who helped me out! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes indeed! Especially given the fact it was 120 degrees out. Just got back from TBEX, a travel bloggers conference. It was in Toronto and was very interesting. I learned a lot and also did a lot of networking. Their next one is this October in Dublin. I think you should look into it as it is great for finding out how to get paid travel work! Always a bonus!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I wish you could have come too Jennifer but it was very hot and extremely bumpy. I can only imagine what that would have done to you! 🙂 What a trip! Now I’ve got to get back in and finish the story. Still Save the Children and the girls school to write about!

      Reply ↓

  9. Thanks for the travelogue–I cannot imagine the mixture of emotions that you are feeling with such a profoundly disturbing reality of life in another world. You will be forever touched and motivated by this experience. But it is a difficult one.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much. Yes, it was one of those trips that is certainly going to take me some time to digest it all. Yet somehow it makes me compelled to do even more. I love this work and seeing how I can help! A life’s work I’ve found with endless amount of ups and downs.

      Reply ↓
  10. loca4motion – Phuket, Thailand – Travel feeds my soul. The kick of living in foreign cultures keeps me awake. Photography, writing and the great outdoors are my passions.
    loca4motion on said:

    Some great street shots, Nicole! I hope there are more to come!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      There are more indeed! I have months left of editing photos and writing from both Paris and India. Yet I’m so excited about it. 🙂

      Reply ↓
      • loca4motion – Phuket, Thailand – Travel feeds my soul. The kick of living in foreign cultures keeps me awake. Photography, writing and the great outdoors are my passions.
        loca4motion on said:

        Haha that’s the story of my life!! 🙂 Looking forward to seeing and hearing more!

  11. Marilyn Albright – Home Based in Sterling, Alaska – Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula has been home for more than 40 years. My husband, David, and I live on 10 acres of forest near the town of Soldotna. We are more or less retired, meaning we are retired from gainful employment but not from life! Our son lives in Australia and our daughter in Colorado. Photography, fiber arts, reading, and hiking/walking are some of my interests, and David shares my love of gardening, camping, cooking, and traveling, plus he is our tech expert.
    Marilyn Albright on said:

    Wonderful photos of the narrow streets. The street food vendors are the best! Thanks.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed!

      Reply ↓
  12. Madhu – Madhu is an Interior designer turned travel blogger on a long sabbatical to explore the world. When not crafting stories on The Urge To Wander, she's probably Tweeting @theurgetowander or sharing special moments on instagram.com/theurgetowander
    Madhu on said:

    Wonderful street shots Nicole. Love the flower sellers.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Madhu! It was so hot. Is Chennai hot now too? Wow, that was the most heat I’ve ever experienced! Wish I could have come by your town! Would love to meet you!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! It was pretty wild and very hot (120 degrees!)

      Reply ↓
  14. Sudeshna – To learn more about me, click on the 'Home' tab located on the top left hand side. Thank you for visiting my page! Come join me in my tryst with cognition.
    SM on said:

    Wonderful blog, I chanced upon when I clicked on “Delhi”.. Very relateable since I have written several posts on this topic, ‘Delhi’ =)

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for stopping by! Where do you live?

      Reply ↓
      • Sudeshna – To learn more about me, click on the 'Home' tab located on the top left hand side. Thank you for visiting my page! Come join me in my tryst with cognition.
        Sudeshna on said:

        I used to live in Saket. Now I share my time between New York and Green Park. 🙂 You may find some commonalities in my Delhi posts. Keep writing!

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Thanks!

  15. Thanks for the rickshaw ride. I thoroughly enjoyed the fruit and veggie stands…but those wires??? How do they ever fix an electrical problem?

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes it is CRAZY! Even worse is the state of the buildings. They are all in varying degrees of collapsing and the government doesn’t do a thing. My guide told me one building collapsed at night and 35 people died during their sleep! Awful.

      Reply ↓

  16. great shots… what an overload to the senses… so much to look at!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Yes, India is pretty much the most fascinating place I’ve ever been. It is just unbelievable and hard to describe unless you go there….

      Reply ↓

      • I am curious about it, so maybe one day…

  17. “rubbing my eyes” – yes that’s a reality report, great!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes indeed. Life is so different in India. Out of anywhere I’ve been, it still continues to amaze me.

      Reply ↓

  18. Pingback: Wild rickshaw ride thru the Big Mango | observations of a canary

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