Tom - June 9

After 5 hours of sleep, we began our first day in India. My co-worker Sonia and her new husband Guarav met us at the hotel at 6:00 am for a trip to the Taj Mahal in Agra, a short 250 km (155 miles). The temperature had cooled off to 93 degrees F. The traffic was heavy and it took 4 hours. It has been said that the worst drivers are in India. After riding in a taxi for 8 hours, the best drivers are in India. Our driver was quick, efficient, and avoided all accidents and hazards on the way.


What did we see?

• People walking along the highway
• Camels, cows, water buffalos, dogs, elephants, monkeys, horses, donkies, sheep, goats
• Human powered and gas powered rickshaws
• Trucks, buses, tractors
• Men peeing along the highway, children in bathtubs
• Piles of dirt, bricks, trash

There was so much I was overwhelmed and felt like I was watching a movie.

We stopped for breakfast and had traditional Indian food of rice cakes, coffee, plain doughnuts with different kinds of curry.

We finally arrived at the Taj Mahal .

I like how my head is positioned to make it look really BIG.

It was HOT.

After Taj Mahal, we stopped at the Architectural Institute for a lesson on how the marble was inlaid with semi-precious stones and more importantly to cool off.

We then went to the Agra Red Fort.

After lunch of naan (like thin pita bread) and a variety of indian curries, we headed home with one more stop at Sikandra to Akbar's Mausoleum. Akbar was one of the last mughal emperors.