Jan 1 2010

Dec 30
Today after a complete breakfast, we headed to the air port for what were supposed to be short routine flights. Yes they weren't first flight was delayed 2 hours to arrive in Chennae fortunately our flight was also delayed so bottom line we arrived in Delhi after midnight instead of 8:00 pm. the good news is we had crossed paths with some Italians Michael and Christina from Florence, so we got to know them much better they had similar interests and careers,as we do.we also found they are doing somewhat the same things as us for the next few days
Dec 31 the Park hotel where we are staying has a great breakfast and we took full advantage of it . We set off on foot to discover Delhi, we made it 25 meters outside our hotel when we were mobbed by tuktuk drivers and taxi drivers. We relented and went with Raju a tuktuk driver( the best decision of the day).He first started towards the red fort. but as we proceeded he kept stopping and showing us things outside barbershops, huge produce market,the largest mosque in India then the huge Red Fort.It was quite spectacular.Jan is also becoming a bit of a star because may Indians have never seen a fair skin women before so everyone wants to talk with her and take her photograph. we then did a bit of shopping and ended up buying a yak wool carpet when we had no intention of buying anything like that, very persuasive sales people. We then proceeded to a Sikh temple, a animal hospital in the city centre,the Indian Gates ( an Indian tribute to soldiers of the WW, much like the Arche d'Triumphe), Humanynis tomb and a few other craft shops. By 7:00 pm it was getting cool and we were exhausted. we gave Raju a huge tip cause he was better that any tour guide and cleaned up.We did go out for dinner to an overpriced european restaurant. The the action all started to happen because our hotel street was blocked off by the military because they were worried about rowdiness or wild western type disorderliness. We ultimately had to prove were at the hotel and walk there ,our taxi was not allowed. Overall the day was great, what strikes me as tough today was the stark contrasts,elephants, horse carts, donkeys carrying stuff right beside a Mercedes Benz or people paying $500.00 not rupees for a New Years Eve dance when there are millions of homeless in Delhi (17 million people) many very ill or disease ridden. Or if you are a Victoria School person , how what seems like utter chaos and lack of order, still works .
Jan 1 2010.
Today after another great breakfast we jumped in a vehicle and were driven to Agra. The 214 km took 4.5 hours and our driver said the roads were great , it might take us 6-7 hrs to return. We saw a beautiful Mausoleum and another beautiful Red Fort made of red sandstone.It had 3 moats, 4 huge walls and intricate carvings and architecture, our guide was excellent. Guess where we go to tomorrow? yes , the most famous building in the world the Taj Mahal