Headed to Agra

Friday 6/24 ~ Hindi classes and departure to Agra

After our morning Hindi classes, Peggy, Zoe, Dawn, and I were off for Agra, primarily to see, and feel, the Taj Mahal. We scurried to a major bus depot in Delhi, where the beginning of our adventure began.

Indians have this funny way of giving directions that seems useless at first, but looking back, one will find that he has found his way to his destination yet again. In our hurry, we ask one Indian, “Where is AC bus to Agra?!”, and with utter confidence he points up the inclined street. In this race against time, our departure on our tail, we power walk up the hill and reach a train station. Another Indian directs us, “bus station that way!” pointing to where we came from. Skeptically, we head back that way. This continues for some time, with a number of other locals seeming to misdirect us. One man points both left and right with an exclaimed assurance that we will have no problem. Another man directs me toward a brick wall, so naturally, I climb over it. Finally, trailing our departure time by 30 minutes or so, we make it to our gate, and to our sad excuse for surprise, the bus hasn’t arrived yet. Sweating and reorienting myself, I laugh because I see that somehow things panned out. This is India, my friends.

Our bus leaves late and we arrive in Agra around 6 PM, ready for the pool and a cold Kingfisher.

Peggy with elephants at a bus stop on the way from Delhi to Agra. There were also a snake charmer, man with monkey, and camel rides.