Agra and the Taj

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This post will be a long one. Thanks for sticking with me, if you decide to. I'm riding on a train to our next destination and have lots of time. I've figured out how to use my tablet off line too. Breakfast in this luxiourious hotel, feels like I'm staying at a current day Taj...Then off to see the Taj Mahal. Beautiful morning, cool, fogs lifting quickly and the blue sky is showing. Kapil said we are very lucky. It's only the 2nd time in a month that the the weather was clear enough to see the Taj. Once we entered the area and saw this incredible tomb, Kapil told us the story of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved third wife mumtaz Mahal. . She died giving birth to their 14th child at the age of 39! Her one request on her deathbed was that he should not let the world forget their love...22 years and 22000 workers later, the Taj was the answer to that request. It looks just like it does in pictures, only larger, whiter, smoother. The symmetry is amazing...Even to the extent that since there happened to be a mosque on the left side of the Taj, another matching one was built on the right to keep the symmetry. It's empty.a Gate 1 photographer met us and took a group and individual pictures. Then we had an hour and a half to explore. Besides, the beauty of the building it was a great place to people watch...Seeing the different dress of the women.. Depending on where they come from and religion, I think...The colors and different styles were something to see. By the time we left it was crowded, mostly with Indian families. Happy to have seen this wonder of the world...Check it off the bucket list.

The group was going next to a marble factory to see how gems are enlayed into marble..As it was done at the Taj.

We thought it would be a sales pitch so we broke off from the group and walked along the ‘main’ street of Agra. The plan was to stop in a couple of shops and get lunch at a place Kapil recommended. Hard to describe the walk along a crazy busy street with no sidewalks but mostly dirt road along shops..Cows, dogs, and persistent took-took drivers wanting to take us for a ride. One was so persistent it did feel like harassing, even though I know for them it's 'good business’. He kept following us in his taxi dropping the price...50 rupees, 30, 20.' Take you anywhere you want to go.' He even waited for us outside Pinch of Spice, where we had a delicious lunch. Now we actually needed a took-took to get us back to the hotel but I wouldn't get in his taxi. Rochelle almost gave in but we took another one (bet he was pissed) and had a fun ride back through the crazy streets...Horns honking, swerving in and out of traffic..made it back to the hotel in time to get back on the bus to go to Agra fort. A massive sandstone Mughal fort started by Emperor Akbar in 1565. It's huge, with moats, and 3 walls, multiple courtyards and palaces. Incredible but tiredness set in for me...I sat on the massive steps looking out on the courtyards. And by the next stop...Baby Taj...A tomb made before the Taj but in the same style, I was done sightseeing. Yes it had unbelievably ornate mosaics but have to admit I took some pictures, and was done.

Back to our hotel to pack and get ready for an 7:00 am departure and a long day of traveling tomorrow. Late dinner in a hotel cafe...Took a break from Indian food, except for a mango lasso, and had a quesadilla.

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Comments

[Meir Umflat]

Happy to see you in India
I like your descriptions. Probably you write quicker than my ability to read. Enjoy your visit