Honk if you love India!

Well, we've arrived safely and are writing from an internet cafe attached to our hotel in Agra. Did you know that lane divides on the streets are purely decorative here? And honking is mandatory ALL THE TIME. Once we got to our hotel in Delhi we walked up and down the block. We have learned not to pause EVER because the second you do you are accosted by merchants and beggars. Today we took what was supposed to be a three hour train ride but it was about five hours due to dense fog. We still managed to squeeze in both the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. (Or Agra Fort depending on which Davenport you ask.) Then it was time for the "big sell." We were shown how Indian rugs are made and then WE WERE NOT PRESSURED TO BUY ONE. I really can't stress that enough. Now we are going to bed so we can be up early for a train ride/bus ride/car ride (things are never for certain here) to Chanderi. Hopefully we will have time there to write a more substantial posting! Despite the complications, we're having a great time. India's all about going with the flow. More to come!

Look to the Left!

Did you know that people in England don't know how to drive? They drive backwards AND upside down. Fortunately, Chris and Kate do know how to cross the street, so we had a minimum of near-death experiences.

There wasn't much sleeping on our flight here, but that didn't matter because Virgin is the only way to fly.

What we have done so far: Big Ben, standing in line for Westminster Abbey which was so much fun we didn't want to spoil it by actually going inside, National Portrait Gallery (seeing portraits of Paul McCartney and William what's his face, Shaksper?), National Gallery where we ran into Chris's good friend, playwright Ken Ludwig. Ken was also on the same flight crossing the Atlantic. We believe he is here for the opening of his "Treasure Island." Chris saw its premiere at Round House and was so overwhelmed he had to leave at intermission.

Most importantly, what play did Chris and Kate decide to see in the West End? Twelfth Night with Derek Jacobi won out, probably because we happened upon the theatre by accident while searching for breakfast. (Did you know British bagels are made with diamond dust? They must be because they cost about $5.00 each!)

After the play we are going to see a movie because we need to stay warm! Then it's dinner and a 10:00 flight to Bangkok! Sorry, I mean India!

Parting: Packing, Pills, and Pussycat

Well, here we go. Kate took her first malaria pill, we're all packed, and we've said our goodbyes to Nim the beloved cat. Chris's pills will make him insane (it's one of the side-effects), so he's waiting until India to start taking them. We're flying to London this evening. We'll spend the day there tomorrow sightseeing and possibly taking in a show. We're currently debating between Twelfth Night with Derek Jacobi (Kate's hero and one of Chris's favorite actors) and a two-man Harry Potter septology. More to come. Namaste for now.

Pre-Departure

Kate and I are leaving tomorrow! Stay tuned for updates.