India New Year

We took a flight from Kochi to Mumbai and then a 22 hour train ride from Mumbai to Jaipur to make it to northern India.  The train ride was actually a good experience and really cheap way to travel in the second class sleeper carriage for about $15 total.  Since we've been in the north we've visited Jaipur (the pink city), Bharatpur (Keoladeo bird sanctuary), Agra (Taj Mahal) and Varanasi (holy city with steps down to the Ganges River).  Unfortunately we've been a little sick for about a week and have not enjoyed the northern areas as much as the southern ones, which were less crowded and polluted.  Below are some of the high and low lights...

JAIPUR (the pink city)

Hawa Mahal

Doorways at the city palace in Jaipur.

Leo monument at Jantar Mantar - full of huge astrological instruments

One of many pashmina markets

Amber Fort south of Jaipur

BHARATPUR (bird sanctuary)

Although we're not big birders, it was a nice place to spend New Year's Day.

After watching pigs eat from garbage for the past two weeks we're not sure pork will ever seem like a good idea again.

AGRA

Although the Taj Mahal is seriously amazing to see, the area surrounding it is sadly choked with pollution and sanitation problems... we didn't eat much in our two days one night here.

Nice rooftop view from our hostel

We woke up early and were first in line to see the Taj at 6:30am.  The fog left the Taj invisible until about 7:30am, but the experience was still great and the claim of "most beautiful in the world" is hard to dispute.  

This unfortunate lady is looking for the wizard that turned her into a goat :)

VARANASI

We've been lazy with photos here, but this picture shows some people bathing on the stone steps (ghats) down to the Ganges River. 

We're starting to feel better in Varanasi after visiting a local hospital for some antibiotics.  We paid the equivalent of one US dollar (yes 1) to speak with a doctor, and medicine was about $7.  The whole process was quick, but only because we're tourists and were immediately seen by a doctor.  We felt guilty skipping what looked like huge waits for the locals and many people were in much worse shape than us.   The people here are good to tourists and genuinely interested in your life at home.  Overall, we've loved India and agree that it's one of the richest travel experiences you can have.  We're catching a 10 hr bus for the border of Nepal in the morning and then another half day bus to Pokhara the following day.  Happy New Year everyone!