Day 8

    As usual, the day started off with a nice breakfast and morning chit-chat.  A group of students enjoyed a common session of hacky-sack, while others talked history and politics with Dean Gouttierre.  We jumped on the bus at eight a.m. to kick off another twelve-wheeled journey.  
    The first stop was a big one.  The memorial of Gandhi proved to be a simple and yet humbling environment, with strong overtones of the peace and change he brought to India.  A few chanters were positioned in front of Gandhi’s cremation site where they sat in a vigil, reciting traditional Hindu prayers.  A brief stop at the Lotus Temple was next, followed by a guided tour of Qutab Minar.  The latter illuminated the beauty of the ancient Muslim world with its intricate stonework and 72-meter tower of red weathered sandstone.  Afterward, we were taken to Humayun’s Tomb, known to be one of the earliest historical examples of Persian architectural influence in India.
    Dinner was at Gulati, a restaurant located in a small bazaar (similar to a strip mall).  We enjoyed the common buffet-style catering, which offered Northern Indian and Mughlai dishes.
    With full bellies, the day’s journey concluded at the Red Fort for a light and sound show. The presentation was not only a unique oral narration that explained exactly how Delhi came to be called Delhi, but also how it came to be the wonderful city we have been trekking through. From there, we then ‘herded’ (hint, hint: that’s a cow reference) onto the JIIT-bound bus for a quick sleep and sweet, sweet dreams of the next day.