Delhi and Agra

Hello friends! I decided that instead of spending  hours at internet cafes writing blog posts I would hand write then and transcribe later, so you might read this far after it has happened, I am currently writing while waiting for a pot of chai with Casey and some to go food to bring on our next train adventure in less than an hour (hope it doesn't take that long to make our food!).  Let me back up a bit about booking trains in India.  It was a rather big pain in the neck.  Although I was in Delhi for 2 1/2 days leaving with train tickets was definitely the most exciting part.  It was lovely to arrive in India, to meet/catch up with Casey and to happen upon some sort of festival coming down the road randomly BUT it was frustrating to have to make 3 attempts at the train station before booking tickets.  After being thwarted from the tourist bureau the 1st time and having the line close just in front of us (even after cutting) the second time I was psyched to finally leave leave with a total of 5 tickets in hand costing a grand total of $38; 3rd times a charm!  This did feel satisfying but the reason it was so cheap is because we didn't get the train seating class (of which there are 8 I think) we were hoping for-so train travel could be an adventure.  It wasn't until we waved Delhi goodbye from the window of our "sleeper" car that pulled out at exactly 2:04 as planned that the excitement settled in--good riddance Delhi, hello Agra!

PAUSE-have to go jump on a train.

Resume (now in Jaipur):

So we now have 2 train rides under our belt and I can circle back to a comparative study but first let me interject with I SAW THE TAJ MAHAL TODAY! Yes, that's right, one of the 7 wonders of the world as impressive in person as in photographs of which I am posting a few.  This immense marble creation took 22 years to complete it is ornate and symmetrical despite the fact that it was all done by hand.  The romantic ideas of commemorating people in such a grandiose way or filling entire pools with rosewater seems as crazy and outlandish as this wonder.  We hired a guide, though it was mostly to find out where the good photo spots are and get a basic background since I confess I am extremely ignorant about the history of the country I am touring.  It wasn't until we went to Agra Fort and hired another guide that the pieces began fitting together.  Although visiting Agra Fort wasn't the original plan (we usually plan about 5 itineraries for the day before doing something altogether different) it was another impressive structure made mostly of red sandstone built by the grandfather of the king who built the Taj Mahal and small marble section added later around the time of building the Taj. The Taj Mahal was build for the kings 3rd wife who died at age 39 giving birth to her 14th child, EEK!  Agra was the capital until was later moved to Delhi which is when the Red Fort was built (I never it made it there).  So having seen the Taj from all angles and some other Agra sites we are now hightailing it to Jaipur.  This brings me back quickly to the fact that although our first train ride was a success we are now on cushy seats eating a meal that was apparently included in the tickets we bought, it's a nice life but I won't get to used to it since we are back to Sleeper class for the next few rides.  More soon!