Day 12/100 – Sketching outside in India

Now that we had our energy back with the hefty caffeine injection, we headed off to explore the rest of the area, and in particular, the historic monument next to the Lake with the romantic name of ‘Hauz Khas Complex’.

The complex houses a water tank, an Islamic seminary, a mosque, a tomb, and pavilions built around an urbanised village with medieval history traced back to the 13th century of Delhi Sultanate reign, so I thought this place would be heavily policed. Once past the guard at the front, whose only job was to make sure that you purchased your tourist ticket by the complicated online methods, we were free to meander all over the ruins. Instead of the controlled and reverent atmosphere that I had expected, this was a place for young couples and friends to hang out, take selfies, have picnics and to scratch declarations of their undying love into the ancient stone walls.

It was actually a fun place to relax so I found myself a little platform to sit on and draw. Now, did I draw the famous ruins? No, my contrary artists’s eye was more enamoured with a colourful apartment block just outside the complex walls which was teaming with everyday activity. So I sat on the historic stone, in the winter sun, and enjoyed the opportunity to top up my vitamin D whilst engaging in my favourite meditative activity – sketching outside on holiday.