So this post is coming a little later.
I was in Kerala for about 2 days, arrived in Kochi where I met a guy from Chicago (Matt), who gave me a free ride using his uber app (he's in India helping to start it up here), THANKS MATT! I owe him a dinner when I get to Chicago.
The highlight of Kerala was going to alleppy and doing a small backwaters tour, was quite peaceful, nice villages. Most people spoke English hear which was nice, apparently the literacy rate is much higher and they learn English after Thamil (then Hindi).
I then met up with a friend and flew to Dehli then a long bus ride to Agra.
Agra was a really nice city, saw about 10 Indian weddings on our way to the hostel. Lots of bright lights and the groom on a horse or carriage.
For the Agra fort we arrived at 6:30 am with our tour guide Ramesh, he was really knowledgable and I booked him because he was recommended through a couple. His facts were bang on (had to keep him honest and verify) and really knew his way around the place. It was a little foggy that day but was still and awesome site. The place is full of monkeys which at times took my attention.
The story of the Taj Mahal is interesting, the Mughal Emperor of India built it as a tomb stone for his 2nd wife! Had all stones, taken in form all over the world! Would be equivalent of billions of dollars these days... the palace looks good but the guy is an idiot. His youngest son overtook him claiming he was insane and put him away n the Agra fort, where he could watch his Taj mahal from a far!
I was also able to check out the Agra fort and the baby Taj Mahal. Agra fort was so grande, and we did an audio tour, lots of tour guides hang out inside the place was annoying, there English sucked
example
Me: so you're a tour guide
him: yes
me: How many children did Shan Jahan have?
him: 450 rupees!
We took an overnight train to Varanasi which was quite rough, we were waitlisted on the train and didn't have any seats! A sketchy police crew gave us their seat for 1000 rupees while they slept on the floor. It actually seems like they sold us someone else's seat as this guy was complaining to them, I've heard of this corrupt business taking place. But we survived in the morning!
I was in Kerala for about 2 days, arrived in Kochi where I met a guy from Chicago (Matt), who gave me a free ride using his uber app (he's in India helping to start it up here), THANKS MATT! I owe him a dinner when I get to Chicago.
The highlight of Kerala was going to alleppy and doing a small backwaters tour, was quite peaceful, nice villages. Most people spoke English hear which was nice, apparently the literacy rate is much higher and they learn English after Thamil (then Hindi).
I then met up with a friend and flew to Dehli then a long bus ride to Agra.
Agra was a really nice city, saw about 10 Indian weddings on our way to the hostel. Lots of bright lights and the groom on a horse or carriage.
For the Agra fort we arrived at 6:30 am with our tour guide Ramesh, he was really knowledgable and I booked him because he was recommended through a couple. His facts were bang on (had to keep him honest and verify) and really knew his way around the place. It was a little foggy that day but was still and awesome site. The place is full of monkeys which at times took my attention.
The story of the Taj Mahal is interesting, the Mughal Emperor of India built it as a tomb stone for his 2nd wife! Had all stones, taken in form all over the world! Would be equivalent of billions of dollars these days... the palace looks good but the guy is an idiot. His youngest son overtook him claiming he was insane and put him away n the Agra fort, where he could watch his Taj mahal from a far!
I was also able to check out the Agra fort and the baby Taj Mahal. Agra fort was so grande, and we did an audio tour, lots of tour guides hang out inside the place was annoying, there English sucked
example
Me: so you're a tour guide
him: yes
me: How many children did Shan Jahan have?
him: 450 rupees!
We took an overnight train to Varanasi which was quite rough, we were waitlisted on the train and didn't have any seats! A sketchy police crew gave us their seat for 1000 rupees while they slept on the floor. It actually seems like they sold us someone else's seat as this guy was complaining to them, I've heard of this corrupt business taking place. But we survived in the morning!
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