Hey Guys!

Well weve finally managed to get to an internet cafe after which means I can fill you in on what weve been upto!

Arrived in Delhi last sat, which was awesome and it was so good to be visiting again! The driving was as crazy as I remember it and the heat was as amazing as I remember it! We managed to finally check into the YMCA after being taken to one of the annoying independent tourist offices which claim to be the main one but are just there to scam you. They told us that the rooms were full and that the taxi man didnt know where it was...yeh right! So I persisted and after about half an hour we finally got there! It was great to stay in a nice hotel after the flight for the first night as we knew the condition of our hotels would go down after this!

On our way to the hotel an indian guy (Lakesh) latched himself onto us hel;ping us to get to the hotel and spent the night telling us in the most ridiculous amount of detail his life story.. and said he would meet us the next day to show us around at 11am which was really nice of him.

In india, 11am means more like 11.30 am. So he took us to see Delhi...seeing the 'Indian opera house' which was hilarious! And going to an awesome market. The rest of our time in Delhi was really spent sorting out the rest of our trip and trains. I think our indian friend had been collaborating with his indian friends as he took us to their tourist info office where we booked our trip to Dehra dun and agra...however I dont think we were too ripped off after asking someone else. Lakesh (our indian friend) also took us to an indian bar in the evening (which we didnt bother to change for and then he told us that we had to go back upstairs to change as my 'white' coloured top was too 'laid back apparently...he suggested a mini skirt!as if Lakesh!). He then took us to one of the five star restaurants (equivelent to the four seasons hotel in london) for a drink which cost more than what were paying to stay at our hotel for the night! But it was pretty nice!

The next day (15th) we headed to dehra dun by taxi, where we met up with a Christian group of people who were also out there to see a school for the 'Dalits' which are the lowest class of people in india. So we joined them on a five hour journey (was meant to take 3 hours..welcome to india!haha)on the most ridiculous but awesome road (literally got thrown off the back seat of the bus :)..loved it!) to see the school. The school had been set up and was being supported by OM and CSW which are two Christian charities. Was really amazing coz they had prepared a ceremony for us where they placed a wreath of marigolds around each of our necks and introduced themselves. They also gave us so much food which was really humbling as these people have hardly anything! They also showed us around the school and around some of the kids houses. It was a really amazing project to see.

Today we travelled to Bharadpur (a 12 hour journey!) to see the Taj and Agra fort. We had so many cups of chai...it was awesome! I loved it as Im sure many of you would have guessed! Our taxi driver invited us to join his family at his home for chai and then a meal later tonight which is sooo hospitable of them (Indians are as a nation). So in a minute we are off to join them for chappattis, curry and chai (I am loving the food!).

Tomorrow we are up at 4.45 (my postie round definately prepared me for this trip as this is around the time we have been getting up most mornings!) to go to the Taj Mahal to see it at sunrise and see Agra fort. So I will leave you with that and fill you in on the next part of our adventure in my next entry. I will also try to add my photos. Apologies if the next entry is not for a while as it is difficult getting to an internet cafe here.

Miss you all lots! Hope you are all doing well!