Visiting the monument of love!

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Well we arrived in Agra about 5 hours later than planned by another overnight train. We are actually finally getting used to India time and that whenever someone gives you a time it is always at LEAST 2 hours later than they say! After we arrived to Agra we found another nice hotel. It was set in a nice garden away from the city. It was a nice change from the constant noise and hassle. You could not go anywhere in Agra without being asked...rickshaw? postcard? marble shop? jewllery? It was the first time we have actually experienced any hassle in India which is a suprise but it is still annoying! Luckily not as bad as northern Vietnam..yet.

We spent our first afternoon in Agra visiting the famous Taj Mahal..It is a beautiful wonder thats for sure. Not much more to say about it other than that. We spent the rest of our time in the city itself. It wasn't really a pleasant place to visit besides the Taj. It is suprising that all the money they bring in from the Taj isnt put into the city at all. It is quite an unpleasant place. The next day was spent touring around the Agra Fort. Other than the Fort and the Taj it was pretty boring.

India is a very overwhelming place. You walk down the streets and you are overcome but the worst smells ever they almost make you sick yourself. It is so dirty im suprsied im not sick from just being in the different cities. There are cows, camels, goats and any other farm animal just lying around taking up the road. It really is a different world out here.

We have quickly learned that everyone in india wants a Baksheesh!(tip)... It doesnt matter what they do for you. Some of them even if you have a conversation with them they expect a tip. They will grab your bags for you and take them to your room before you even have a chance to get off the bus or train. They are waiting outside restaurants to perform song and dance for you. People are everywhere and anywhere trying to make a rupee! It is quite humourous but it gets annoying super fast. If you pretend to ignore them they will just come up to you and talk louder or poke you until you acknowledge them. I guess they think you just dont hear them? Anyways all that being said its great entertainment and there is never a dull moment.

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Photos

City Scene
A young boy leading a herd of cows down the street is a common sight.

The Taj Mahal
The mosque inside the Taj complex. Each morning at our hotel we can hear them singing their prayers

Agra city with the Taj.
Its crazy to see that all these areas are not torn down to have super hotels such as places in cambodia and Vietnam

Agra Fort
Central Garden area..very peaceful and relaxing place with lots of parrots, monkeys and squirrels

Group Shot!
so many people came up to us asking if we could be in a picture with them. We have no idea why!?

Comments

[Linds]

Fun!
Awesome to hear that you're doing well. Miss me? I miss you guys!

[OCEAN GIRL]

Taj Mahal
I always wanted to see the TM... oh well not this year... going to Italy instead... and yes, you are coming with me young lassie! We need to drink that red wine and Troll for HOT Italian guys!! :) Oh yeah... so if you can just squeeze into the TM... take some cool pics... be worth a zillion over I think....