Monday, August 20, 2007

Chandni Chowk mein CHAPPAL...

...toot gayi.

Legwork down the gallis of Old Delhi can be highly intoxicating. Like a kid has to be dragged out of a toy shop, I dragged myself out of Chandni Chowk. After having done the business I had there, no matter how hard I tried, I found myself not budging an inch. Awed, I was, to be in those constricted byways of Purani Dilli.
It was a first visit in ages. A lot has changed, and still, a lot remains unaltered. I admit, if I have to go there daily, I'd choke. Yesterday's visit was an impromptu one. And the pleasure derived from it, is inexplicable.
There she was, shopping for her wedding outfit. I knew she wanted me to be there. And with a single click I popped there. The mammoth task got over in I think a little over five hours (which according to me was super-quick). We were at this shop 'Anarkali', where this sales-boy was putting in all his might to sell us his stuff. Having tolerated him for quite some time now, when the decision (regarding the outfit) was finally made, I was most eager to leave the shop. And it was then that he caught hold of us again. He called to her in the tone of a whisper and with a chuckle he said Ik gal dasan hun twhanu...Ai na Jiju nu na dikhana! Una leyi enu surprise rehn dena (Lemme tell you one thing....Don't show the dress to your fiance, let it be a surprise for him). Quite nonsensical, but then that is their modus operandi, and that is how they 'think' they make loyal customers. Also shopped for some Indian sweets for Mr.P.
On the way back, I was left alone for the 5 minute walk to the metro station that I managed to stretch to about 30 minutes. Couldn't help gazing around me. The garmi did not seem to deter me from admiring the place. Neither did the overcrowded streets. Though on more than one occasion I did find myself swearing aloud at passers-by. And then, Chandni Chowk mein CHAPPAL toot gayi.
There is no such thing as a free lunch, but then one thing you really can get free in India is free advice. Girls tend to get a lot of it. In the Metro, if I prefer to stand some mudblood would say "madam baith jaaiye" and presently, when my footwear malfunctioned in the midst of the busy street of Chandni Chowk, this old chap says "pick it up in your hand" and some more blah that I didn't even care to hear. Huh! Guess he wanted me to walk barefoot on the muddy, animal waste laden streets. Anyway, this old chap, giving free advice got what he deserved by way of verbal action from me. I don't mean to be rude, but then I am fiercely rude when it comes to men trying to act superior in any way.
Anyway, the journey continued and I have promised myself a longer lasting trip to Chandni Chowk as soon as I get the next best opportunity. For, I was amazed to find a big McDonalds' outlet standing there, trying to lure customers from the paranthewalas.
The rest needs to be explored.

23 comments:

burf said...

it would make an interesting read what the old man got :D

burf said...

to hear*

and is CC open on sundays these days????

Unknown said...

Lol!! The mystery is finally cracked.. ;)

So.. did you walk barefeet the rest of the journey??

abhartiya said...

:D
wht did u eventually do with the chappal? i mean how didja manage to come all the way back home?

Reeta Skeeter said...

burf: no no I don't use rude language when I am not angry ... they sure would make a real interesting read :D... No CC not open on Sundays...
===================================
J: Yeah cracked...No I walked with tooti hui chappal... dragging it somehow...
===================================
wacko: dragged myself as well as the chappal but did NOT take it off! Yo! Call it clean feet fetish :D
===================================

Ankur Arora said...

i can't recall wen i entered chandni chowk last, but by wot i remember of it, do visit again in the winters! it wil be one visit to remember! :)
i think i'll go too this time round...just...

Pritika said...

hey babe! very nicely written! After reading your descriptive post, i almost felt i was there! ;D

R said...

I want to go for paranthas right NOW. RIGHT NOW!
Yeah, McDonald's... but I love the local flavour.. only if something could be done about the animal waste. Uh, and the chappal eh? LMAO!

Anonymous said...

That is one pretty lehnga!
Sorry about the chappal!

ritu said...

i notice you are reading Nilanjana's book.
it is fantastic I really enjoyed it. she has a blog called akhondofswat have a look

burf said...

update?

Nee said...

Paranthas any day baby! :-)
Chandni Chowk mein cobbler bhi mil gaya hoga?

Sui Generis said...

Finely composed....good babes..!!

Anonymous said...

And then, Chandni Chowk mein CHAPPAL toot gayi.

Ha Ha Ha...

We guys are luckier. Since we have to buy a few pairs we buy good stuff. Not like you pretty girls buying dozens from L'NAGAR, s'NAGAR etc

Yes, you are right, more needs to be explored. I am, frankly, too scared to go to C CHOWK. But i get a fairly good idea reading the accounts of Rahul Verma who writes every weekend for Delhi's edition of 'The Hindu'. Read him; you will get great clues.

Enjoyed reading.

umangexuberance said...

well, i have never been to chandni chownk
but have heard so much of it over the years that it has always attracted me in some mystic way...a place to discover..a place to get lost in..may be some day..

Gonecase aka. Shutter Singh said...

Chandni chowk mein chappal toot gayi, hahaha, can act as a film title for next T-Series produced movie :D

Parathas are great btw, some places are worth trying for food instead of feel good factor ;-)

Łóòň Ġãĺ said...

lol that sounds like a good day ... i remember how my sister used to drag my mom when she was getting married ... and me .. i so so hate this kinda shopping .. that i requested them both to do shoppin for me ... i was so frustrated at the thought of gettin things stitched for myself .. that i requested the tailor to come over to our place and take measurements...
i love to pick up stuff when its ready made or when its shoes and bags etc!

i really wanna go to chandni chowk as well ... ive heard so much abt the place ... but whenever am in delhi .. no one's had the courage to take me there and listening to my constant moaning! lol

Łóòň Ġãĺ said...

listen*

Łóòň Ġãĺ said...

oh and btw .. wht abt the chappal?

i love the way tooti chappals manage to attract all the attention in the world! lol

~ Deeps ~ said...

not so good experience..........frankly dont know why anyone wud enter mac or haldiram in CC, there is so much to eat out there on the streets. u just need to know the right place but the paranthas have lost their magic now.....they are not so divine any more.........the sweets still rock and so does the non veg stuff...............

Anonymous said...

Интересно написано....но многое остается непонятнымb

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