Delhi to Agra ....con men included

So I get up at 7am (well I am on holiday so I'm entitled to a lie in). No after effects from last nights curry (chana massala and paneer tika - excellent food - just like the ones you get back in old blighty). Rickshaw to the station and then the fun begins... A "ticket inspctor" tells me the train is 5 hours delayed (was due to depart at 10:20). To cut a long story short I was being led a merry dance with the con men trying to relieve me of lots of money by taking me on a tour. So one hour later and two more rickshaw rides costing a total of 80p I was back at the station where I started and this time I would not be swayed from my train. They were very professional with false id cards and saying all the right things. I was suspicious from the start but an important lesson learned - everyone is on the take and out to con you.

The train journey (4 hours) to Agra was great. I was travelling cheap class and shared a section of the train with a Sikh family. They shared their lunch with me (chapatti and veg curry) and I gave their two young daughters some toys I had bought from the local market last night ("150 rupees each sir" was what I was told when I enquired politely how much the toys would cost me. I replied "I'll give you 50 rupees for three of them". "OK" he said happily. Think my 50 rupees (64p) was too much to pay! Probably made his day.

Got to my hotel (The Shanti Lodge) and I know why they called it that! Not exactly the Ritz. I pushed the boat out and went for a deluxe room - 6 quid all in (don't know where the pound sign is on this keyboard). It does have a view of the Taj Mahal though. I'm now sat in a cafe drinking a contraband beer. My pedal rickshaw driver is waiting for me to continue my journey back to the hotel. I had to get out and walk at one stage as he was struggling uphill. He must be late 60's bless him. I'm supposed to be paying him 25 rupees (35p) for the 4 km journey but no doubt he'll probably want more when I get there - I'll go to 45p but that's it. I hate being ripped off.

I didn't get to see the Taj as it gets dark early here. Plenty of time tomorrow. Then it's off to Varanasi on Thursday. Overnight train and again I've gone for the luxury of 2nd class air conditioned. No air con req'd though as it's bloody cold at night.

Looking forward to going south as the weather will be considerably warmer. They're having their coldest December in a long time. Great.

Anyway that's it for now. I'll try and post some pictures soon when I find a PC with USB. Hope Christmas is at fever pitch in the UK. Not sure where I'll be, maybe Hyderabad.

Byeeeee