Hello!

Well, as happens when traveling, plans change (see Dzido's blog for an excellent account of this). Instead of heading south, I went north. The train from Mumbai up to Dehli took 23 hours. As with many things in India, the train ride is hard to describe. You are assinged a bed in a compartment, but the compartment is open and people just sit on the lower beds. There were 12 people in my compartment most of the ride. Guys come by yelling "Chai Chair" or "Omletes, Cutlets!" almost singing what they say to offer you food. There are people EVERYWHERE! At first it was rather hot, but it got very cold at night. Poor Liz had only a sheet to sleep with and nearly froze. Delhi was cold. Not cool. Cold. I could see my breath at night and jeans and a sweater were essential. Funny how much variety there is between regions in India.

So we got to Dehli and did a quick tour of the main site. The large Mosque, the Red Fort and a few other places. The hotel room was a real deal at 150rupees per night for the 2 of us (about 1.75 cdn each) but it had a hole in the ground instead of a toilet (common here) and no hot water. Try showering in 3 degree weather. It isn't fun. This morning we came to Agra, which is where the Taj Mahal is. The Taj is one of those places that you hear so much about, yet you think may let you down because it has been over-hyped. The cost to get in for foreigners is high at 750 rupees (5 rupees for Indians) but let me say- worth every penny! It was incrediable. The only thing I can compare it to is Versaille in France and even then, I think the Taj may be more impressive. The marble makes it almost too bright to look at in the sun. It is perfectly symetical and the inlaid patterns around it are phenomenal. Really just amazing.

Today I got to see my first monkeys and watched cows clog up traffic in the streets. One thing I should mention is how much Liz and I get stared at. Well, mostly Liz, but it makes me feel like I am with a movie star. Seriously every man stares and often they will stop and just gawk. This is for 2 reasons: pale skin is considered a thing of beauty in India and so white women are beautiful. Secondly, Indian men assume, from seeing many white movies, that all white women are promiscuous. Its interesting, but also a bit annoying. It is hard to be on your guard all the time and feel like everyone is watching you or trying to scam you. But this is just a minor distration and the amazing sights and sounds of India are worth the social pressures.

Off to Jaipur tomorrow!