Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest markets in Old Delhi. Like so many other old city bazaars, it is filled alleyways lined with hundreds of little shops that are clustered into areas according to the items they sell. There is the fabric section, which is great to wander through just to see the sari silks, the spice section, the leather section, the brass section and in the land where weddings are major affairs, the wedding section.

Every time I am in Delhi, Chandni Chowk is the first place I go to; I love wandering the labrynth of narrow alleyways and checking out all the stores. It is a shopper’s paradise!

Next to travelling, my favorite thing to do is to cook. The last time I was in Delhi, I went with Jyoti Argawal (owner of the Gourmet Desire Cooking School) on a shopping spree through Chandni Chowk. That’s her in the picture.

I had a list of things to get and Jyoti took me to her favorite kitchen supply place. I gasped in awe as I entered the small shop. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall, every inch was crammed with items for sale! I looked at Jyoti with doubt that I could walk around the place let alone find what I needed but she assured me that we would.

While I stood among the tiffin carriers piled, sky high, on the floor, Jyoti and the shopkeeper went around got everything on my list. As she negotiated the buy, she flashed me this smile and leaned over and said, “I told you we would get everything on your list”. Successful shopping trip!