Day 3

Herr and I set off for Agra. It's about 250km and will take us 6 hours. I am content to sit quietly and watch India go by Herr wants to chat--it doesn't work. We stop along with a busload of tourists to see a field of camels. Herr talks to the guy and we walk up to a baby camel. The camels all have one leg tied up--this is to stop them from running away. There are no fences--so I guess the herder does what he must. 20 reuppes later to thank the man for seeing the camels and we are back in the car.

I miss a lot of what Herr says--he talks pretty fast and while his English is ok--it isn't great. We arrive at ____ [I have no idea which temple this was and can't find it in my guide book] pick up the guide and head to _____. It's impressive but I'm anxious to get to _____ Fort [the one in Agra...at this point we are outside of town] so we move quickly.

Finally Agra. I check in, pop upstairs to the local coffee shop and grab a snack then we are off to the fort. It is huge. We only cover 20% as the other 80% is still in use by the army. I get my first sighting of the Taj. After the fort it is off to a marble store that I didn't want to go to. I'm not interested in the demo or the things they sell and I'm very vocal about it. It doesn't matter. I am finally able to leave the show room by telling him I'll think about it over night and have Herr come back in the am to pick it up. He has set aside a table top for me...I don't want it and have no intention of coming back...but he isn't taking no for an answer. He keeps talking about the price...he can get me a better price or find something else...I tell him I don't want any of it in my house (while trying not to insult him) and it goes back and forth for a while. I hate India at this moment. I don't want to negotiate for a price on something I don't even want to buy. Herr comes in and they chat and I am finally allowed to leave. Yes, allowed. I feel as though I must buy something. They make you feel guilty...here you are this rich Canadian and you won't buy any of their nice stuff. Oh yeah, everyone from Canada or the US or anywhere buy India is rich. And while we might make more money than they do...it is hard to explain that you aren't rich and that it took a lot of saving for this trip and no I can't afford to buy everything you show me...nor would I want to. It is getting very frustrating and I continually say...no more shopping.

I head off for a fabulous meal...and expensive...it was 750 rupees...which isn't really a lot. 1000 rupees is 25 CDN, but it is way more than I wanted to spend...oh well.