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Today we left Delhi for Agra. We were to meet the group at 5am in the reception of our hotel. I left our room, went to head down the stairs and found hotel staff asleep on a blanket on the floor! We took the lift. Driving to the station we saw many more people sleeping on the roads and in their rickshaws.
The train was pleasant, we were even served breakfast. When we pulled out of the station I saw something astonishing - a man sat in only underwear in the middle of a train track washing himself from a tap! As cool as a cucumber.
On our way to the hotel we saw lots of cows strolling across the roads for the first time - was really cool!
Auto rickshaws with ten people squashed into four seats is another Indian sight to be seen!
After dropping our bags at the hotel we made our way to the Agra Fort where Akbar the Great resided in the late 16th century. It was an absolutely stunning place with influences from both Hindu and Muslim faiths. With it's picturesque gardens it's easy to see how beautiful the place would have been all those years ago. There were lots of men selling souvenirs outside - one guy selling bangles would not take no for an answer so it took me a little while to get to the car. Just when I thought I had lost him, he popped up at the window and placed the bangles on my lap.
Next stop was the Taj Mahal, one word - WOW! It was the most amazing building I have ever seen! No less than I expected but so much more! Even with the vast amount of visitors it felt so tranquil and calm. I could sit there all day. So pretty. I think me and Jess were as much a sight as the Taj was to most Indians - they asked for pictures and video recorded us. Although I absolutely hate people staring at me at home it's something I knew would happen in India and today I have found it very funny and flattering ... they seem intrigued by us and have been extremely polite.
Today has been a good day and despite the original culture shock and slight worry ... I am falling in love with India.
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