The Taj Mahal!

We went to see the Taj Mahal super early in the morning, which was nice because "The Taj" (as we in the know call it) changes color throughout the day. So in the morning it was a light glowing white. I took a TON of pictures. So beautiful.

It was getting warm so we headed back to the hotel for breakfast. There were hashbrown potatoes (the totally pre-constructed patties that are really bad for you), which made me feel SO good. I think I'm getting food-homesick. Is that foodsick? That seems like it would imply something else.

Anyway, after breakfast we went to the Agra Fort and a marble workshop. The marble workshop is neat. There are only a couple of families in India that are responsible for mining and doing the precious-stone in-lay in marble. So the people who are doing it now are direct descendents of the people who did the Taj. I bought a $40 tiny marble box. It is beautiful and worth it. There were other marble items ranging into the $10,00+ range!

The Agra Fort was nice, though the British looted it when they were taking over, so most of the in-layed stone was removed. Kind of sad. But the structure of the building is impressive anyway!

Alright, that is it for now. I'm trying to figure out how to upload pictures, but that is proving difficult! So soon pictures will be posted!

Love to all! I miss home a bit, too.

Safe and sound in India!

I'm in Delhi. My flight arrived on time AND my ride actually showed up when it was supposed to! So, this trip has already been less stressful than the last time I was here. I need to keep this post brief because my roommate is already asleep. On the plane I had an entire row of seats to myself, which was nice (yea sleep!) but bad for jet lag (I'm WIDE awake). Hopefully I'll pass out in the next hour and can get 6 hours of sleep before we leave for Agra in the morning.

We're going to the Taj Mahal tomorrow, so expect pretty pictures soon!

In the Newark Airport

I got to the Newark airport around 2pm and have been sitting in the C concourse for three hours. I debated about spending $8.00 to get online, but caved after my cell phone died. I am getting really excited to get to India, though I'm not looking forward to the ridiculously long flight BY MYSELF! I was wandering through the stores in the airport when I realized I hadn't purchased an adapter for the outlets in India, which would be bad because I wouldn't be able to use my computer. So, I spent $40 on a converter and an adapter. Never fear, I will be able to post to my blog while in Asia and Europe!

On the flight from O'Hare to Newark I was in first class (SO awesome!) and there was a young couple with two kids sitting by me. I learned a multitude of things from this experience:

1) Don't fly with two children under the age of two
2) I NEVER want my husband to call me "Mommy" (as in: "Mommy, how are the kids doing?")
3) Similarly, I never want to call my husband "Daddy" (as in: "Daddy, I want to kill myself, you, and both of our obnoxious children.")
4) First class makes me feel like I'm pretending to be something I'm not, and it makes me think that everyone else in first class is a snob (or really good at faking it)

With that nugget of wisdom, I'm going to try to entertain myself until I can get on the freaking plane!
Pyar,
Elizabeth

मैं विस्कोंसिन में!

I'm still in Wisconsin, but am totally excited to leave for India! I just got my visa from the Consulate General in Chicago and am waiting to get my visa for Thailand...did all my last minute shopping...picked up my prescription drugs for the next three months...bought some clothes to "blend in" until I can do some shopping in India. I am a little nervous about addressing every detail before I go, but Josh is helping me maintain my sense of humor. My next post will probably be up next Tuesday or Wednesday once I'm settled in Delhi!!!