Sometimes, things can be magic.
I set out early-ish this morning, hoping to get back into some form of running shape, after months of niggles. But since my “early-ish” wasn’t actually as early as it should’ve been, Nehru Park was already heaving with throngs of runners, and there was nowhere to park.
So…
Plan B, it was.
I decided I would be a tourist in my own city and “run” around Safdarjung’s Tomb.
I’ll spare you the non-functioning QR codes (no cash payments at 7am, because the ticket office wasn’t open) which meant I had to log onto a government website and give them my life story, just to buy an online ticket, but hey! I prevailed, while the lone employee – a curious security guard – peppered me with questions.
Do I live overseas or here?
Why here?
How come I speak Hindi?
So I gave him my life story, too, on the basis I’d just given it to the government anyway :P
He was very happy that I’m married to an Indian, and that I live here, and then he whipped out his smart phone to take a photo of my online ticket…India old & new in one go!
The glory of my visit this morning was that I was the ONLY person there, for the entirety of my visit. There was my friend at the entrance, and one other guard on duty at the town.
And That Was It.
I walked around, and ran around, and walked around some more.
I took gazillions of photos and spent an absolutely marvellous time there, in a state of delight at the privilege of being alone in such a fabulous place.
I trotted around the base of the tomb – amazing:
I didn’t run around the upper level, feeling it was somehow disrespectful so walked around…many many times, savouring my privileged solitude.
Here, listen to me thinking out loud. You might need to have your volume turned up, though :)
When I could linger no more, I left reluctantly, heading back into the real world.
A stunning morning.
Very special!