Taj Mahal etc.

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We arrived in Agra on the evening of the 15th and checked into another amazing hotel before heading out for our first glimpse of the Taj Mahal. We saw it from the back at sunset which was quite impressive but we knew it was only a taste of what was to come. We had a wake-up call at 5 a.m. yesterday morning, so we could be at the front of the line when the gates opened at sunrise. Our guide told us to leave all bags on the bus so we could avoid the bag security and just go through the body scan and pat down. We were among the first people to walk onto the grounds.....It was truly amazing!!! it was incredible to stand in front of it and for the first 10 minutes, to almost feel like you were there with only a private party. it is mind boggling to know that this was built just because some guy wanted to honor his favorite wife.....and no one has ever lived there!

Almost as impressive as the Taj Majal was the Agra Fort. This palace/fort made every palace Ive ever seen very modest...it covers 90 acres! The Agra fort was built by the Mughals who ruled a northern India from the early 16th century until the consolidation by the British colonial rule in the early 1800s. There was beautiful artistry throughout. It also included apartments for 2000 concubines!

One very moving experience in Agra was a stop at the Sheroes Hangout. This is a coffee shop that is run by women who have been victims of acid attacks. We met some very inspiring women who have come forward to fight to stop the sale of hydrochloric acid and help women victims of these horrific attacks. We met the man who is a journalist, who helped get the movement started and is now married to one of the victims who is a spokesperson for the movement. Our whole group left in awe of the strength of these women who have faced such horrors.

Yesterday afternoon I chose to skip the demonstration of the craft of marble inlay and the chance to spend big bucks on marble inlaid elephants, plates or even tables. Instead I returned to the hotel and had a hand and foot massage!

Today was another early morning start. We left the hotel at 7 a.m. to catch a train to Jhansi (2 1/2 hours)where we then got on our bus for the long (5hours)and bumpy ride to Khajuraho. It was the first time that I was really tired of being in the bus....though I still enjoyed seeing all the small villages and the people. We have a new bus and bus driver.....this one is just as good as the other one...I still don't understand how they manage to speed through these crowded narrow roads. I can't sit at the front of the bus and watch the oncoming traffic....too scary!

Tomorrow morning we visit the 10th century temples in the town before flying to Varanasi.

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