Advertisement
Published: September 1st 2008
Edit Blog Post
East Gate
The Kings Entrance PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR:
The pain passes, but the beauty remains.
This is the Taj Mahal.
The seven hour journey from Jaipur was exhausting. I was happy to check in, get a good meal, get unpacked and prepare for the early morning trip to the Taj Mahal. I had been up since 5 am, I knew today would be the same. First order of business was to check email and touch base. Porter and crew....you caught me off guard and it took me forever to figure out who it was. I thought someone had skyped me by mistake. Thanks for the very early birthday song. It made my day. We will catch up soon!!!!! Go DAWGS!
As I was on the computer, I was able to see the distinct dome from my hotel room .... teasing me. For ages, I have often wondered what it would be like to see the Taj Mahal ...one of the seven wonders of the world. I have known it only through pictures. I was told it is best at sunrise and sunset. Being the early bird, I wanted to be there first thing. I couldn’t sleep. Too excited. I awoke at
First Glimpse
Only from a distance...it took my breath away. 5:15 and popped out of bed. A quick shower, cup of tea, few tea biscuits, packing some apples and a water ... I was off @ 6:15.
The Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace and described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love) was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his second wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to the 14th child in 1631. She was 39. It is said, that the Emperor’s hair turned grey overnight from grief. Construction began that year and was completed 22 years later. 20,000 people worked on the building. Shortly after it was complete, the Emperor was overthrown by his son (who murdered all other siblings) and imprisoned in Arga fort where, for the rest of his life, he was only allowed to see the Taj Mahal from his prison window.
Wow. I wept. (as I am writing this hours later). It is magnificent! I know my guide thought I was crazy, though he was sweet. I can’t put into words....it simply took my breath away. I spent the better part of the next two hours talking my guide (Dheeraj) and soaking up everything that he would
give me. To think, Dheeraj grew up here, has been a guide for the past seven years and is still in awe of it all, made my experience that much more. He did his job then discussed his family, children, religion and life with me. His candor allowed me insight to his culture and warmed my heart.
Knowing that I had taken up enough of Dheeraj time, I told him to go, grab another tourist, make more money. I wanted to sit and people watch for a few hours. It was early and the majority of tourists were just arriving. You are not allowed food inside. Before, I had packed two apples, not knowing. When I went through the gate, they were confiscated. Dheeraj passed them to a friend for safe keeping. When we parted, I told him to keep the apples. I had taken up too much of his time. He insisted on meeting me outside the gate to ensure my safety back to the hotel. We settled on a time.
I spent the next two hours moving from place to place, watching every slice of life. Different light, different views, different people. One family wanted to
have their picture taken with me. Armed with ancient film camera and no english, they wandered away giggling and their 4 small children staring. Men ogled. Children stared. Very few tourists. This is what I came for .... people watching at its best.
Two hours later I walked out of the gate, not expecting Dheerja to be there. Sitting on a bench in the shade, he was there holding the other apple for me with a huge grin on his face.
So far the best day in India.
I was back at the hotel for a late brunch. The afternoon was spent reading out by the pool, catching up on news, writing post cards and talking to a new friend in for the night from London via Delhi. My stay in Agra ends with me flying to Delhi tomorrow evening. I am trying to decide ... go back to the Taj Mahal or try Agra fort. I will have a nice dinner & make my decision in the morning when I wake. That is the luxury of being my own boss.
Hope you all had a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend. As always, I look
Diana's Bench
Made famous by Lady Di and her visit in 1992 forward to hearing from you. Much love.....Jess
Advertisement
Tot: 0.066s; Tpl: 0.015s; cc: 7; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0352s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb