Day in Agra

After arriving to India, I booked a taxi down to Agra to see the sights. It was a blistering 42 degrees Celsius - over a 100 degrees Farenheit. We started off in Madura - which is the birth site of Lord Krishna (recognized as the supreme being in Hinduism). I was the only tourist there which was amazing as it gave the temple a very peaceful feel as everyone there was praying and admiring the temple. We then went further south to see the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. I have never been haggled and harassed more in my life while walking up to the Taj Mahal. Everyone wanted to sell me something - a snow globe of the Taj Mahal went down in price from 2 for 100 rupees (about 2 US dollars) to 7 for 100 rupees. I really didn't want a snow globe - I didn't really care how many rupees it cost and I definitely did not need 7 snow globes of the Taj Mahal!! I then found this cute little India woman who took me under her wing while speaking to me in Hindi and gesturing who protected me from all of the vendors. She showed me where to buy my ticket and let me cut in line with her family! Not quite sure what she was saying to everyone but I think that she was telling them either that I was her long lost daughter or her personal photographer because everyone thought it was hilarious. Too bad I don't understand Hindi!!

"Baby Taj Mahal" - Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah. He is the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal (the woman whom was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal)

Agra Fort

I loved the little monkeys around the Taj Mahal . . . until later that day at the train station I was attacked by a whole family for my bag of bananas!

The Taj Mahal -

Overall it was a great day and I have never been more thankful for an air-conditioned hotel room and a shower when I got home -