Wow! can't believe we are here. After an awesome ride (Continental was fabulous), we finally arrived in New Delhi exhausted, yet excited,to an outside temperature of a balmy 104 degrees.
After the initial shock of wild traffic, heat, and cousins they have never met, the kids and I left the airport and left for our Delhi home. Everyone was so welcoming!
The second day we left for a northern city called Agra (about 5 hours away)where the kids experienced many "firsts"Unfortunately, the temps were about 120 degrees so we were only able to stay outside for about an hour. The kids got an amazing tour of the Taj Mahal! Some firsts included a camel ride- no one is allowed to take a vehicle (unless it is battery operated) within 5 km of the Taj so we chose to take a camel there. On our way back, we took a horse drawn carriage. During the way, the kids met many "hagglers" who tried to sell them souvenirs and other items. They were overwhelmed, I think.
Unfortunately, the internet cafe we discovered is not the best (archaic computers and broken keyboard) and the connections are down so I'm not sure how many blog updates I will be able to make. My converter and adapter blew the first night when I tried to charge up my laptop. Tonight we are leaving at 10 p.m. to depart via an overnight train (followed by a 3 hour taxi ride) to a hill station called Almora. It is in the Himilayas and this is where my grandmother lives. The kids will be meeting their great grandmother and many relatives who also reside there. There will be no internet there, I'm sure. Kids have enjoyed taking rickshaws to places and eating Indian food everyday! They are also enjoying being waited on day and night. This will change when they return to the States.
