Greetings from The American Embassy School. We are currently having a tour of the IB school here in Delhi. The students are "hangin" with the Delhi students so we thought we would take this opportunity to tell you a little about our quick journey to the north.
It began with our introduction to Delhi traffic and our very large westernized hotel, The Ashok, as well as the inflation of prices in food and tips etc!!
Monday we were off to Agra with an early morning start on the Shatabi Express Train. Departure was 6:00am so we were up at 4:00am. The Delhi train station even at that early hour was swarming with thousands of people, coming, going and even living there. The train ride was 2 hours of comfort, compared to the trains on the other tracks over flowing with people. The views departing the station of Delhi and arriving in Agra station are exactly what we read about in India Literature. Holy cow what an eye opening experience. Shabby tents, ragged people and piles of garbage as far as the eye can see. Upon arrival to Agra our tour guide met us at the station and off we went to the Taj Mahal. It was as expected. Spectacular. We spent the morning at the Taj enjoying the views, taking pictures, having pictues taken of us with India families and watching the latest in lawn mower technology. (Two bulls pulling the mower, who then stopped for a break in the shade to eat their clippings). After a fine lunch of northern Indian cusine, we headed to the Red Fort and Baby Taj. By mid afternoon temperatures were hovering in the high 30's feeling like 50 degrees. We had a rest in a hotel lobby before catching our train back to Delhi. We arrived back at our hotel at 11:30pm for a well deserved sleep.
Tuesday we were up and off to shop till we dropped at Connaught Place, everyone purchased some fine India items. The students were elated to have McDonalds for lunch. Afternoon was spent around the pool at the hotel before eating out at Khan Market with Jyoti our teacher friend from The York School. (She now teaches here at AES).
Today is our final day in India. We are spending the morning at school - ha ha, then packing up with a final swim before heading to Dilli Haat for dinner and movie, then off to airport around midnight! See you in Toronto on Thursday late afternoon. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and family. Our trip has been like no other and we look forward to sharing our stories and pictures with all of you.
Barb and Jim
Working at the carwash...
Working hard
Retreat at Brickell's Cottage
8 comments:
What a vivid description of a land of contrasts, from the wonderful hotel offering refreshing swims, fine cuisine and Taj Mahal to the extreme heat, shabby tents and the environmentally friendly lawn mower (I wonder how the CO2 emissions compare to our gas mowers?) These last few days in the north have certainly packed in a lot! Can't wait to see the photos of all the amazing sights and especially look forward to welcoming everyone home. Have a safe journey. Love to all.
Thank you Barb and Jim for that very descriptive message and thank you both for looking after all 12 very precious travelers. We can't wait to see you at the airport tomorrow. Safe travels til then.
What a terrific recounting of your last days in India!!
The kids were lucky to have you as their chaperons on their amazing journey
See you soon
Dear Barb and Jim,
Thank you for your final blog comments. The perfect way to cap off the adventure of a lifetime. We have been able to live vicariously through all of you, and the descriptions of everyday life have allowed us to feel part of the journey. We commend you, thank you, and are grateful to you for watching over our children and bringing them home with much excitement and eyes open to a part of the world that needed to be seen. Safe travels to all of you. See you tomorrow!!
Where do I sign up for "York India-Parents Trip 2008???" Can't wait to see all your smiling faces at the airport tomorrow.
Kim says:
We are very excited to see you all and to hear first hand your impressions and tales. Carly, I am sure you will have a new found appreciation for Canada and all the opporunities this country provides you. Thanks Barb and Jim for your excellent care of our children. We wish you both a peaceful Easter as you celebrate with your families.
I agree with Harry's parents-when is the parents' India trip leaving? I am packing my bags as we speak!
Can't wait to see you Lor.
Mike Cohen
I'm coming off a brutal stretch at work but will make it to the airport. Is one allowed to drink single malt in the arrivals area?
By the way I went the other night to Mela (the new Indian restaurant) on the east side of Avenue Road just north of the Baskins (north of Brooke) and it was wonderful. It looked like it would be a good size to accommodate a private party.
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