Oh so tired.

sorry I couldn't update yesterday, but it was on the go from 2:30am (that's in the wee mornin' hours) until we returned to our hotel room around 12:30pm (that's the next morning) It was a day based on a day trip to see the Taj Mahal. The quickest way to get to the town of Agra is by train which leaves only at 6am and returns only at 8pm. It is an express train that takes 2 hours.

The kids are off schedule so they woke up at 2:30 and for the next 2 hours I yelled, threatened and growled at them to SLEEP. We didn't. So up and off we went to the train station. Even at 5am, a hustling, intimidating place of people on the go. Upon arrival we learned our train was delayed an hour. So for an hour we tried our best to keep the kids off the station floor. Not an easy job. The train ride was fun for the kids. Smooth, water and snack provided. Bathroom is a whole different story. Bella took pictures. We arrived in Agra and were instantly swarmed by people offering taxi rides. Because we couldn't find our guide, and seven white, tourist's lost, we were fresh bait! Luckily our guide found us. We went to a nice hotel to freshen up and grab a bite to eat. Then off to the Taj Mahal. It's like a giant, amazing sand sculpture that arises from the earth. The white marble is breath taking. It is just a beautiful site. Huge, detailed, presence that captures your attention immediately. Mark was in awe! We had a guide take us around. Inside, was dark, cramped, hot and gave me the feeling of being trapped. The architecure was beautiful and to think it was built around 500 years ago. Try explaining that concept to kids!

We spent about 3 hours there. Most of the time was stopping for people to touch or take photos of Bodhi, our little famous family member. They LOVE him here. The blond hair and blue eyes. All ages, sexes, casts are drawn to him. We also took advantage of photographing the people of India. I love the faces of people. We were all pretty tired after so we went back to the hotel and refreshed. We still had 4 hours to waste until our return train. So we drove to a local orphanage called Mother Theresa Orphanage with 40 children and an attached adult section. All my kids fell asleep on the way there, so it was only Mark and I. Upon arrival we had little children come out and pull us to play with them. Quite a different experience than the government one in Delhi Inside we found a room of children on the floor. Babies under one year of age and some special needs older boys playing together on the floor. I had 3 small children follow me around gesturing for me to take their photo and then show them the digital image in my camera. I was able to hold some of the babies. Little girls about Bodhi's age. One little girl kept placing her forehead on my forehead. Almost like a kiss. Another little girl clung like a monkey and wouldn't let me put her down. A little four month old baby girl smiled and cooed. She was so pretty. We stayed for about 30 minutes. I donated some items, thank you Lauren and the Healds. And gave them what they wanted most which was money for food.

The kids continued to sleep so our guide offered for them to go to his house, which he shares with his family and new wife, so the kids could sleep in a bed. It was a wonderful gift to visit with a local Indian family and it turns out his sister in law had a handicrafts store upstairs. So while, Mark and the kids napped, Pam and I shopped. I had 3 sari's custom made and delivered to our hotel in Delhi within 12 hours! Thank you Amarash. and his family. Finally time to get to the train and back to Delhi.

Today we are in Varanassi, the holiest city in India. Will update tomrrow..........