Journey to Agra

I woke up at 5.20am since my pick up from the hotel would be at 6.30am. Not that I took that long to get ready, but I had my stuff unpacked from my backpack and I figured it'd take a little more time to have it all repacked again.

Jayant had requested for the guest house to prepare a simple breakfast of toast and tea, which I appreciated in the wee hours of the day. It wasn't before long that Jayant arrived with Lakhbir, my driver for the next 3 days, who spoke simple English. He was dressed in a bright turquoise blue shirt and matching turban. After loading up my backpack and going through my itinerary again, Jayant waved me goodbye and there it began - my adventure - alone!

The air was really cold and it worked as a natural air conditioner in the car. The little window gap that I left open allowed cool air to enter, as well as the sounds and smells on the roads.

Slowly, I began to hear the sounding of the horn. I saw big trucks that had the BLOW HORN sign Jayant was talking about. I smelt burning coal and saw men and women wrapped in old rags warming their hands over a fire. I saw people peeping out of their tents by the road. It marvelled me to see animals by the road along the way - cows, camels, monkeys, dogs... they all shared the same road as the pedestrians, cars, trucks, carts, bicycles, motorcycles, scooters and the like. Yet in the supposed chaos, there seem to be some form of order, only understood by the locals.

A truck with the BLOW HORN sign at the back. Its purpose is to encourage other motorists to horn to let these truck drivers - the king of the road - know they are closeby.


I loved the view of the sun rise in the distance and took a picture of it...


I saw huts made of mud slabs, and later learnt that they were made of a mixture of mud and cow dung, considered one of the most useful natural resource in India. Besides being used as a fuel when dried, cow dung is also considered hygienic and the gas (methanol) from the dung can also be converted to energy (biofuel).

We stopped at the Country Inn Kosi. By then, it was freezing cold although the sun had risen. I was thankful I brought along mum's woolen turtle-neck top. After a much needed loo break, I headed for the cafe and had a cup of hot chocolate for 52 rupees. Whilst there, I saw a group of four college girls, probably from the US. It made me miss travelling with my friends a little. The cafe served other food such as southern indian food, sandwiches, and even chinese food, but I was satisfied with my hot cup of chocolate that kept me warm.

I resumed my journey in the car with my favourite Huggy Bear basking in the sun.