CP and Spring

Now that the rain gods have withdrawn and the skies are black to blue, I decided to make an impromptu visit to Connaught Place earlier today. Back in the days, I have often wandered to CP in order to escape the overcrowdedness of North Delhi. The introduction of the metro made it all the more easier. Central Park became a mere fifteen minutes metro ride away for me. Ever since I have come back in the capital for round two, I have hardly visited CP. Even after the delayed renovation in the wake of the Commonwealth Games in 2010, most Delhites seem to have taken a fancy for the numerous malls in South Delhi and CP remains a haunt for the corporates whose offices reside in landmark buildings like the Statesman House, Gopaldas etc. Apart from them, CP is also a favourite stop for foreigners. When I was in college, some girls would tell me that it was also a pick up point for gigolos. These men waited with a red scarf in their hand. So one time I wasted an entire evening trying to locate such a man and test the theory of rich, lonely housewives desperate for some love. Unfortunately, I got to see no such dealings, let alone a so-called gigolo. 

Campus is all colourful!

Today I decided to go to CP because my days here are already numbered. I love everything about Delhi in February-March but this year I won't be experiencing spring in the capital. On the contrary, Dengyal will experience his first spring in the city. Since I was downloading and watching movies all day, I decided to spend my evening by taking a walk in Central Park. Normally, Lodi garden tops my list of must visit places during spring time. The flowers make such a pretty statement in the green background but going there in the evening would have been a wrong decision. My stroll made me realize that things have changed a lot in the last few years. Maybe it is in the wake of the gang rape case, but I felt a constant need to check whether someone was following me or not. The usual men who pester you with various offers also had me sweating. While having aloo tikki in a corner, I was extra conscious of the atm guard and his friend standing behind me. The highlight of the evening, for me, was the stop at Wengers. My introduction to Wengers took place a little late, sometime in 2005 (almost at the brink of graduation). Since then, I have been a regular at the bakery. Just the whiff serenading you with the every step inside the shop makes you want to taste everything on display. My next halt was at Costa coffee. In a country, and a state, that loves tea, I am a coffee lover. While people throng coffee houses to 'catch up' over a cup of coffee. Quite the opposite happens in my place. My priority is the coffee while conversation or company follows next. With my cup of coffee in hand, I walked an entire circle and back.

CP seemed very vibrant today and I enjoyed the evening. By the time I got back to my room, it was dot 8:30 pm. Tomorrow I have a few tasks lined up. Spring in Delhi is such a beautiful time of the year I tell you. Oh! I wish I did not have to go back home so soon.