In Khajuraho...

First, I have to tell you about the long trip to Khajuraho, which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Since flights are unreliable, and we were on a tight schedule, they didn't have us fly, but we took the train from Varanasi (nice, 2nd class tickets). We met a very nice older couple on the train, a doctor whose son and daughter both live in the US and we had very good conversations with him about politics (US and India!) as well as the unfortunate povery levels in India, and the garbage situation. He says that there just is not any formal / regular system of handling garbage, because even though tax money is collected the services do not get to the people. Very sad. Then he asked about Obama winning, with excitement. And, just to mention, he is like the 100th person we have met who has been excited to talk to us about Obama winninge ! From the Brits, Germans, Aussies we met on the trail on Nov. 5th who very excitingly told us about his victory, to the Sherpa woman with the Obama 2008 pin on her traditional sherpa dress (not kidding)... it seems the world is excited for America's changes and hopes to be "friends" with America again. Just needed to share these observations of the world's view with you...

Back to the travels... Khajuraho is another World Heritage site dating from the 10th and 11th Chandela dynasty ruled over India (before the Mughals). It was in the jungle and virtually undiscovered until about 1838 when found by the British. Note all the detailed carvings... look closely... yes some of the figures are doing what you think they are! Khajuraho is sometimes called a "kama sutra in stone" with some figures "loving each other" (as our guide said).

Brian barely made it through seeing a few temples and had to go back to the hotel though... stomach wasn't feeling well and he saw the doctor at the hotel and got some meds to make him keep down his food! Anyway, he is better now and made it through the long drive from Khajuraho to Agra yesterday...

will post pics from our drive to Agra and in Agra next...