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Published: February 6th 2008
Nicky:
Hi All! The train ride from Mumbai to Agra was an experience. We were in little bunks with 4 other people but surrounded by basically the rest of the train. It was really interesting watching everyone go about their daily business and see how the rail system in India really works but I was happy to be doing it from the safety of our top bunks because there were lots of wandering eyes. It really is hard to describe what it is like to be stared at all the time just because people here are very unused to seeing white (girls especially) people. Agra itself really wasnt that different to Mumbai but we found a great hostel run by a lovely family who cooked us dinner and breakfast. It was so lovely we decided to stay for 2 nights!! Saw the Taj Mahal on Tuesday which is just as spectacular as everyone says, when we arrived it was a little bit misty and it looked very mystical. We had hired (or he had found us) a rickshaw driver for the day who took us to the TM, the to Agra Fort, which dates back to 1080!!, and then to a beautiful little restaurant that had a rose garden with monkeys running around in it. Talking of animals we have see lots of camels since coming furhter north and even some elephants - it is very strange to see them walking down the roads trying to dodge the traffic! Left Agra Wed and have taken a train to Jaipur - only just arrived so will update later. Very much looking forward to getting to Goa and having some sun and a chill out, it is cold here at the mo and quite stressful!! Hope you are all ok, speak soon xxxx
Neil:
I'd just like to expand on our little train journey from Mumbai to Agra. The journey lasted 22 hours and poor Nicky had to put up with lots of local staring at her along with plenty of beltches, farts and lots and lots 'HOCKING UP'. This is not Nicky's style so we're both looking forward to some slightly nicer experiences. We're able to laugh at the fact now - that Nicky spent the first 15 hours in the top bunk. 15 Hours without going to the squat loos, or having a look outside. Poor girl. However, I really enjoyed it in a wierd way. When you have 22 hours ahead of you in a confined space, you have plenty of time to sleep and think and read etc etc. It was amazing going through the rural parts of india and seeing people working in the fields and walking around with masses of stuff balanced on their heads.
The journey also exposed us to the everyday indians - the vast majority of whom are really friendly and happy to chat about their lives and India. We also met an Aussie chap called Ryan who gave us an insight to what we might expect to see in Australia.
We awoke at 5am to catch the train from Agra to Jaipur, and it was 2 hours late! Not a nice time of day nor place to wait for a train - but we're starting to enter a less busy/ touristy part of india, so we're expecting the costs to go down and the enjoyment to increase.
Photos will come but India's IT is not as advanced as it could be. We may have to wait until China.
Keep well everyone.
PS. My dodgy inards have made a full recovery - it was a lucky escape from something that could have been a lot worse. Bring on the street food!!
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Rich and Flora
non-member comment
Wowzer!
It's good to read that you're both ok and enojying yourselves! Nicky, just look at it as a on mass compliment, it's not that your white or a girl, it's because you're beautiful... or the fact you've got massive t... so you went that long without a toilet break! that's impressive! It must be cool seeing such a massive change in life style! Look after each other and we look forward to seeing pictures!! x