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Published: March 8th 2009
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Early in the morning at the Sawai Madhopur train station I bumped into a nice German couple who were with me on the train and what a train it was. All the AC seats were booked so I had to travel second class. By the time we approached the back of the train were our carriages were it was already starting to pull away and there were guys at the open door saying there was no room after passing a couple of carriages I realised that if I didn't get on the next one I would miss it so I resorted to brute force and charged at the next doorway and jumped into the throng of people gathered there (it was just like catching a tube in London:-) closely followed by my new chums. There was no seats and we were jammed in like cattle, we had to stay like that for the next 5 hours and made some local chums along the way. The whole carriage smelt like a stairwell at Preston bus station as the aroma of the toilet was wafting through. That was also being used by people to stand - good job I didn't need to go.
Finally arriving in Agra and I had to confirm my onwards train ticket, I had been using IRCTC website but if demand is high you are placed on a waiting list which is no help to you. So I had to go to a local travel agent and he was able to do a bit of dealing and got all 3 of us on the overnight train to Varanasi.
I stayed at the ShantiLodge guest house in Agra which has a good restaurant and a great view of the Taj from it, it was en-suite ish, it didn't have a sink and the toilet reminded me of the one in trainspotting but for 3 pounds.... On arriving I bumped into a Polish couple in Agra and used by finely honed language skills to converse with them in Polish:-).
The next day I visited the Taj Mahal which was every bit as beautiful as I expected it to be, it is India greatest tourist attraction which is reflected in the hefty ticket price of 750 rupees - just over 10 pounds. It is apparantly the worlds most extravagant monument built for love. I took loads of pics and
one thing that I have noticed is that my fame has even reached India, I've had at least 20 people so far ask to take their picture with me, 6 at the Taj alone - now I know what Tom Cruise feels like:-)
After the Taj visited Agra Fort built of red sandstone in the 16th century, I had one guy follow me for 5 mins saying he would be my guide and then afterwards another cycle rickshaw guy to contend with for most of the walk balk to the backpacker district of Taj Ganj.
Off on another overnight train to Varanasi tonight and during my stay there is a holy festival so that should be fun.
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Sylvia
non-member comment
Mon Chat - 9 Mar 09
Your travels and comments are brilliant. The Taj Mahal looks awesome. I must get the map out and track your travels. Have fun and enjoy - which I think you are doing!!!! Love Sylvia and Harry