John thinks it's hilarious that every time I go to the Taj Mahal (three times now and here), I burst into tears. Well, I don't actually burst into tears, but my eyes do get a little moist and I might have to wipe a tear or two as it rolls down my cheek. I admit to being an emotional wreck, OK? The thing is, this is a place I've always wanted to see and never thought I would. And now I've been there three times! Life is so amazing.
We got to Agra in the early evening, and when Cheryl, Kristina and I looked out our window we saw this ...
Oh, yeah! That's a view of the Taj, people! Not a very good view, I grant you, but that is the Taj Mahal out my Radisson hotel window.
The next morning we met our guide in the hotel lobby and headed off to tourism heaven. I both love and hate Agra. It is the craziest, most crowded, most confusing city I have ever experienced, and it has two of the most incredible sights in the world: the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The sights, sounds, smells are overwhelming. It wouldn't be surprising to see a flying carpet or two.
Gas-powered vehicles aren't allowed within a certain radius of the Taj, so here are the other Amy and Kristin enjoying a ride in our little electric car.
Some local residents ...
This was the first time I'd been to the Taj with a guide, and it had its advantages. He whisked us through all the lines, got our tickets in no time, and was full of information and stories. He also saved us from losing Flat Stanley, who was sent along for the trip by my cousin's little girl, in the security line. Apparently, "cartoon characters" are not allowed on the grounds. I found this puzzling at first, but then I remembered that it's a Muslim sacred site (there's a working mosque on the grounds) and that Muslims do not approve of images of people. We folded Stanley into a tiny square and smuggled him in by way of Kristin's wallet, then snapped a quick photo or two when no one was looking. So much for respecting foreign cultures.
The thing I didn't like about having a guide was that we were constantly on the move and didn't get a chance to just sit and take it all in. I love just hanging out at a place like this, exploring, watching people and wallowing in the idea of where and when I am.
We spotted quite a few parrots and this kingfisher ...
The Taj Mahal gets between 2 million and 3 million visitors every year, and the vast majority of them are Indians. This is reflected in the ticket prices: 20 rupees for Indians (and a few lucky residents like me) and 750 rupees for foreigners. BUT foreigners get a free bottle of water, so it's not entirely unfair ... It's just the most expensive bottle of water on the planet. Some of our fellow tourists ...
Quotations from the Koran around the entry gate ...
The Big Moment, when you see the mausoleum through the main gates ... Go ahead and cry. I won't tell anyone.
It was super crowded that day, and if you look closely at this picture you can see the throngs at the base of the mausoleum.
Groundskeepers at work ...
Water birds playing in the irrigation ...
It was a hazy winter day, but once we got up close we were able to see the marble sparkling in the sun. This is easily the most beautiful building I've ever seen.
In this one I was trying to capture the sunlight sparkling off the precious stones that are inlaid in the marble ...
More from the Koran ...
Some close-ups of the marble work ...
Come on, wouldn't you cry?
We got to Agra in the early evening, and when Cheryl, Kristina and I looked out our window we saw this ...
Oh, yeah! That's a view of the Taj, people! Not a very good view, I grant you, but that is the Taj Mahal out my Radisson hotel window.
The next morning we met our guide in the hotel lobby and headed off to tourism heaven. I both love and hate Agra. It is the craziest, most crowded, most confusing city I have ever experienced, and it has two of the most incredible sights in the world: the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The sights, sounds, smells are overwhelming. It wouldn't be surprising to see a flying carpet or two.
Gas-powered vehicles aren't allowed within a certain radius of the Taj, so here are the other Amy and Kristin enjoying a ride in our little electric car.
Some local residents ...
This was the first time I'd been to the Taj with a guide, and it had its advantages. He whisked us through all the lines, got our tickets in no time, and was full of information and stories. He also saved us from losing Flat Stanley, who was sent along for the trip by my cousin's little girl, in the security line. Apparently, "cartoon characters" are not allowed on the grounds. I found this puzzling at first, but then I remembered that it's a Muslim sacred site (there's a working mosque on the grounds) and that Muslims do not approve of images of people. We folded Stanley into a tiny square and smuggled him in by way of Kristin's wallet, then snapped a quick photo or two when no one was looking. So much for respecting foreign cultures.
The thing I didn't like about having a guide was that we were constantly on the move and didn't get a chance to just sit and take it all in. I love just hanging out at a place like this, exploring, watching people and wallowing in the idea of where and when I am.
We spotted quite a few parrots and this kingfisher ...
The Taj Mahal gets between 2 million and 3 million visitors every year, and the vast majority of them are Indians. This is reflected in the ticket prices: 20 rupees for Indians (and a few lucky residents like me) and 750 rupees for foreigners. BUT foreigners get a free bottle of water, so it's not entirely unfair ... It's just the most expensive bottle of water on the planet. Some of our fellow tourists ...
Quotations from the Koran around the entry gate ...
The Big Moment, when you see the mausoleum through the main gates ... Go ahead and cry. I won't tell anyone.
It was super crowded that day, and if you look closely at this picture you can see the throngs at the base of the mausoleum.
Groundskeepers at work ...
Water birds playing in the irrigation ...
It was a hazy winter day, but once we got up close we were able to see the marble sparkling in the sun. This is easily the most beautiful building I've ever seen.
In this one I was trying to capture the sunlight sparkling off the precious stones that are inlaid in the marble ...
More from the Koran ...
Some close-ups of the marble work ...
Come on, wouldn't you cry?
I DID cry!! Lol
ReplyDeleteI love the detail shots you got--AMAZING! Yes, I would cry if I got to see it too. I don't think I'll ever get there...so I will live vicariously through your photos. :)
ReplyDelete