Delhi gave us a look at the history of the country by a morning at the national museum, as well as a trip to the house where Gandhi spent his final 144 days until he was assassinated on those very grounds. It now serves as a memorial for him, including his final golden footprints and a shrine where he died.
Old Delhi was a hubbub that almost got to Larissa on the second day but luckily we made it to the 25,000 person capacity mosque and were able to take it in, including a somewhat hazy but otherwise enjoyable view from atop the 40m tall tower.
Train from Delhi to Agra was her first legitimate train experience - in any country - and unfortunately was a trying one as it was delayed for an hour and the food I hopped off to grab at a station was deep fried, cold and thoroughly disappointing. In Agra we took a bell-ringer tour trying to see the 'Baby Taj' and then the real Taj before sunset. Both were accomplished.. as we watched the sun set from across the Yamuna River (second holiest in India) while viewing the Taj. It was splendid but still somewhat abstract or removed, picture-like, since we have yet to touch it. Tomorrow!
With the Taj closed on Friday's we boarded a city bus (jump-started via pushing!) along with a hundred other people to rumble and rock and smoke all the way to Fatehpur Sikri - the short lived capital of India in the 16th Century for only 14 years. It was nice to see the old palaces (3, one for each of the emperor's wives) and the gardens and the grounds.
It has been great to have family here, quells the homesick feelings that would rise from time to time and gives me someone to share India with. Looking forward to the rest of this country and then onto Thailand and beyond.
Oh yay! Jillian just showed me how to post a comment. I have been following your adventure diligently and seeing the world through you. I am so happy to see you and Riss together - and that it is so comforting you (and me too)! Tell Riss the candy apples were delicious!When you get back we will have a feast of all your favourites, hold the curry. We love you both,
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Hi Stephy and Rissy! i too have been keeping up with your adventure across the globe and find them all to be thrilling, enlightening and hilarious (cough cough! stephen in yoga!)So Riss, good news: my mom has finally stopped tripping over multiple objects including... her own feet.
ReplyDeleteWow! After reading some of your entries Stephen, all i can say is that i wish i could be experiencing these enriching moments that you two will treasure for your whole life. Does Kate have a blog? I am curious as to how explaining Halloween to kids in China went. I love you both and can not WAIT to see you again,
Jillian
The photographer who took this picture excuses how awful it is. His (nick?)name is "Bomb" (or perhaps "Bum") and his facial hair is abysmal. Think huge white mustache extending onto his cheeks to below his ears. Beginning as fountain of information about Agra and the Taj Mahal, after 10 minutes in traffic (with him exiting the vehicle repeatedly to spur the cars along) we realized his senility must be causing him to tell the same facts and stories over and over. Despite all of this, and his taking us to a jewelry store and in-laid marble maker, Bomb was probably still our finest taxi-tour-guide, and worst photographer.
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