Taj Mahal, Agra

Miles LOVED the Taj Mahal!

bargaining - tghis time about price of pictures the guys take of us without our permission

The kids were fascinated by intricate hand work!

We woke up early this morning after a solid 3 hours of sleep, packed up again and got o our 20 passenger party bus to head to Agra. Our day started with the amazing idli and sambar yum! The bus ride which should have taken 3 hours, took over 5, and resulted in cranky adults and poor car sick sammy, who decided to puke all over me. At one point our driver randomly pulled to the side of the road, turned off the car and got out and walked away. As we were looking out the window a monkey on a stick popped up and made the kids laugh so hard, we had o give the guy a few rupees. Of course that started a landslide of begging culminating in one mane so aggressive as to wedge his hand into the window of our bus to prevent us from closing the winndow! Finally we arrived in Agra and headed straigh to the Taj, after a quick wardrobe change for me, we hopped on the horse rides to take us to the gate. Obviously this was one of Sammy's favorite parts of the trip.

Not sure how this worked out but we put Travis and my kids in one buggy on their own. three white people in a buggy unattended = a huge target for selling stupid souveniers and beggars. At one point Travis asked what to do, I said, " say no and dont make eye contact!"

Alas we finally arrived to the Taj. After early 40 hours straight of travelling, we were there. sarah, Elizabeth, Mom, Sammy and I got in the girls line which of course moved much faster than the men's line. Probably b/c women are just more effecient. just sayin' After going through security and having my orange confiscated we were in! But, then we had to wait for the boys so we took a few pics waiting. It was at this point i also noticed people staring at Samy as they passed by and even touching her!

Then the men arrived and we were ready to rock and roll.

So we spent the next 4 hours wandering around the most fanstastic monument and man-made wonder of the world. I have to say this is the 3rd time I have been there and it still takes my breath away!