Go go gadget socks!!

Hey! I am presently in Agra, the city where the famous "earth's teardrop" structure the grand, the gorgeous and magical TAJ MAHAL. I took a bajillion pictures, which I will post once I get to Thailand (don't ask when that is because I am not sure yet!!).

So , I left off in Goa. I flew from Goa to Delhi, on a very relaxing enjoyable two hour flight. I was a little nervous to arrive in Delhi just where the city is so large and overwhelming. To be honest I would not have gone there if it weren't for Meenu and her family being there- but they were there so I felt safe enough to go! I called her from the airport once I got there (it costed $.50!!!! .... which I was outraged about until I just typed it in Canadian money lol.. nevermind that's not that much.) She answered (which was a huge relief..) I was so worried that I would have the wrong number written down or something!

I got a prepaid taxi to the address she gave me, and the taxi drivers spoke ZERO english! Eeee! I was scared right up until the moment I found Meenu. The taxi driver got lost and didn't know where her address was, and tried to get me to get out of his vehicle in the middle of, I have no idea where, and I just sat in the backseat with my arms folded and I was like "nope. I'm not going anywhere until I SEE Meenu." ghahahahahaha. No way. Delhi is TOO scary to mess around with. So I made this guy (after many silly hand gestures) get out his cell phone and call the number I had and speak with her aunt/uncle (who obviously know the language yay!) and so EVENTUALLY they had to come and meet my taxi guy and pick me up which was a HUGE relief!!!!

We then went to her aunt's BEAUTIFUL FLAT!!! omg it was stunning. what a NICE break from bad hotels/hostels to stay in such a lovely clean place as there. It was shiny and pretty and they treated me so kind and gave me homemade food and anything I could ask for. AND the water was FILTERED. We could drink tap water- I can't tell you how much that excites me.

We stayed up until 3am like little girls giggling and catching up and exchanging India stories, and then other stories and drifted off to sleep in the cool air conditioned room . We woke up at 8am to her aunt standing over us going "wake up." hahahahaha so we woke up and showered and then did NOTHING all day . it was amazing, what a nice break! We didn't even break a sweat. Then in the evening, (and after lots of delicious food and more chatting ) we went to see the new release "Kites" in theatres. It was a really great movie! I think it comes out back home like next week or something- go see it, it's awesome!

That just about brings us to today, I took a private air conditioned car (way more elaborate than I usually go for, I usually go for the non=a/c bus) but I've been in the habit of treating myself to whatever I want lately (oops! heheh) just to make me feel safe and secure (a good reason, I think). So that was a fairly nice ride, except OOOOOOOOOOOOOO I was SO mad!!! We stopped off for lunch at this place- and my driver went into one restaurant and sent ME into another one (like what, we can't eat together?) and the one he sent me to was a huge fancy expensive one = like $10 for a MEAL that's REDICULOUS. like$2 for a TEA . omg you have got to be kidding me. I was so mad that I didn't consume one thing and I stormed out. It frustrates me really badly when I'm treated like a "rich tourist" instead of just like a person. Like he made me go into the expensive restaurant to eat, and they were trying to sell me all kinds of stuff. ugh.

Anyways.

Then I arrived in Agra and found myself a decent middle-range hotel for about $10 a night (with cable so I can watch Desperate Housewives tonight before sleep, and Top Model!) and then I walked to the TAJ MAHAL!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. IT was so hot today guys, seriously, it was 48 degrees. My shirt was SOAKED when I was done there. I was really lucky though, Meenu suggested I bring socks (she didn't end up coming with me because her flight to canada is tonight). Anyways, I brought socks with me and THANK GOD i did. everyone else didn't have any (and you can't wear your shoes inside the temple of course) and they were like running around and hopping and only walking in shady spots of the taj and i alone got to walk all over! :D :D My favourite time of the day was when these 3 indian men were hitting on me and like trying to take my photo (it amazes me that people want to take MY photo at the taj mahal = one of the seven wonders of the world... LOL) anyways, all I had to do was walk out onto a sunny part of the temple and they couldn't come with me because it was too hot on their feeet HAHAHAHAHA that's when I whispered to myself "go go gadget socks!!!" LOL hahahahahahahaa

Anyways. I'm sweating away here at the computer lab as I type and remember and occasionally laugh and grin to myself. Wish you all were online now so I could chat with you!!!

Tomrorow I'm catching a bus to the dessert area of India, Rajastan and more specifically, Jaipur. I'm excited- this is where I will ride a camel, and maybe another elephant.
yay.

Talk to you soon,
xoxoxox
Jess