A couple of shots taken driving to work yesterday so there's a bit of reflection from the window. The trishaw is typical and I have seen people with pipes, wrought iron and even a matress on them.

Thursday morning I woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep so I started doing some work around 5-30. When I took a break it was too late to get a gym session in and still get to work about 9. I left about 8-45 and the traffic was better. This morning I left at 8 and it only took about 7 or 8 minutes. The comments about the traffic still apply but apparently not all day. Yesterday I went to a different mall after work and had to cross the main road to get money changed. That was quite an experience as the traffic was busy. I live to tell the tale.

I also managed to find a supermarket type shop in the mall and bought some soft drinks and a back pack there and I bought a new leather purse in another shop after the zip on my wallet finally broke.

After discussions with a number of people about visiting the Taj Mahal, I got the HR departmment to organise it. A common option is to hire a car and driver and do it in one day. Since it's about 5 hours drive you tend to get 2 hours of site seeing for 10 hours driving. A Swedish family in the hotel planned this and had a head on crash just before they got to Agra. Apparently the ambulance got them back in 3 hours with one of the little girls having a broken arm. An Australian I met here recommended the train, which is what the HR girl said as well.

I'm to be picked up about 5 am to catch a 6am express train. I have an Airconditioned sleeper for the 2 hour trip. I'm staying overnight and getting back after 10pm on Sunday. I've been advised that I can get around Agra on my own on Saturday and to hire a car and visit a nearby fort on Sunday. Should be lots of photos next week.

Peter, the Aussie I met at the hotel, runs a drilling company and the next day his office sent me the name of the people who did up their t-shirts with the company logo. I phoned up but we just couldn't understand each other. It is also a long way to his business I'm told. HR here said they would chase someone up, who might actually come here to discuss my requirements. We may still get there.

My Swedish friends leave tonight. They have been good company over dinner and breakfast this week.

Work has been progressing well with most of the uncertainties sorted out. I did get to the gym after work last night. There were 4 power failures in the 30 minutes on the cross trainer. When that happens the resistance disappears and suddenly you are "pedalling" flat out. You also lose your time etc. which is mildly annoying. I got through the 10 minutes running without another one but it happened soon after. Also got caught in the lift once. It opened to let me out but took a few minutes before it was working again.

Another difference I noticed but forgot to mention - Drugs: When I went to get my cold medicine the chemist asked if I wanted antibiotics as well. Apparently you can get anything you like here without needing a doctor's prescription.