Day 1

Shannon and Hunter on their way to the hotel after arriving in Delhi.

So far we are having a blast. Today we woke up at 9 am after only 5 hours of sleep and had an amazing breakfast. The hotel had a wide variety of foods and even Larissa was pleased. After exploring the massive hotel for a bit we got on to the bus to start our tour.

First we went to the Jama Masjid Mosque. It is the largest mosque in India. All of the students paid 100 rupees (1USD-45Rupees) to go into the tallest tower at the mosque. We all had to make our way up the spiraling sets of stairs but once we got to the top it was worth it. From the top you can see huge hotels next to a mass of run down buildings and homes. It took us much longer to get down due to Natalie's fear of steep stairs.

Next we went to the spot where Ghandi was cremated. We saw the eternal flame and marble flat that represent the immortality of soul. They believe the soul never dies; it only changes form in reincarnation. While walking back to the bus being followed by an entourage of teenage men, an older fellow attempted to pick pocket Hunter's camera. Luckily, Hunter noticed. While we were on the bus weaving through tuk tuk's and bikes we saw the India Gate which resembles the Arc d'Triomphe in Pairs.

Then we went to Humayun's Tomb. It was built for Shah Jahan by his wife. The Taj Mahal was built to resemble it.

Then we went to the Bahai. It is a massive free standing building that resembles a lotus flower that is made of imported marble and has no beams holding it up.

We went to a famous carpet making company where they gave us free lunch and tea and tried to guilt trip us in to buying things.

Then we went to the Qutab Minar, which is the tallest free standing tower in India. There we also saw the ruins of 27 temples and the iron pillar that hasn't oxidized in 1600 years.

We went back to the hotel to find out the pool is 40 degrees. Sam and I jumped in anyway. Then we walked through the streets and went to the India Gate on our way to dinner. It was surrounded by tons of beggars and salesmen. Once we got to the restaurant everyone was starting to fall asleep. We got a wide variety of foods and ate family style. At the end of dinner Hunter bit in to a pepper by accident and started crying. It was quite the fiasco. Then we walked back to the hotel and everyone passed out.

Quinn, Sam, Larissa