Daring Delhi

This place truly has to be seen to be believed.  After waiting in the airport for awhile for our driver that didn't turn up we opted for a taxi.  It didnt take us very long to realise that the horn is almost as essential as the brake on a car.  Unfortunatley our taxi driver didn't know the exact location of our hostel and we drove around in the pouring rain for almost 2 hours.
By the time we got to our place I was cold, tired and had a headache and sore throat. We went straight to bed and slept until lunchtime.

We then had orgnaised a driver for the afternoon to show us the sights of Delhi.  We were struck by the overcrowding, dirt, poverty and lack of road rules.  We were told there are only 3 rules -- a good horn, a good brake and strong heart (not flustered)!
Our driver took us to the Sunday market were we swapped the car for a rickshaw.  We then went to a mosque, drove through some of the market, got stuck in a traffic jam and enjoyed Delhi hands on.
By the time we got back to the car, I was feeling worse and after seeing Ghandi's grave/park we went home.

We had some good Indian food and music at a local restaurant, although we could'nt eat it all, and then home for an early night.
Next morn at 6:15 we were on the train leaving Delhi for Agra.  We arrived to a sea of taxi hagglers.  We managed to find an Israeli couple who also wanted a driver for a day & after much deliberation managed to make it work. We went to Taj Mahal which was magnificent, then the driver proceeded to take us to all the shops where he got commission.  We saw jewellery being made, amazing marble designs, and spectacular rug making (apparently all the wool is imported from NZ!).  All of this is made by hand because industry is forbidden in Agra.  It was really beautiful and we had to repeatedly tell them we weren't interested in buying anything.

We then filled in time at a cafe with some great conversation with the couple we spent the day with.  Got the train back home and today we are off to Bangalore.
I am getting sick of all the haggling and bargaining that goes on.  It is such an effort and they really want to get as much money they can out of you. 
At least my cold is feeling better -- still blocked up so hope my ears are ok during this next flight.

Daring Delhi