It’s amazing what a change of state and night of rest can do to my impressions of India. Everything was peachy keen today. Nothing bothered me in the least. Most travelers that I have met have warned me about how horrible Agra is. I don’t know what the fuss is all about.
I found the people here more civilized. Sure there was the usual gawking and staring but nothing like what I experienced in other parts of India. Maybe it is because I spent my day inside two of India’s (and the world’s) most famous monuments. And all the people inside were tourists just like me. You guessed it… today I finally went to the magnificent Taj Mahal (and the Agra Fort).
The Taj was simply breathtaking. When I entered the outer gate, I glimpsed the Taj Mahal and I got goose pimples. Then when I walked through the gate tears came to my eyes. That’s how breath taking this glorious monument is. What makes it even more remarkable (besides the architecture) is the love story behind its creation.
Emperor Shah Jahan built this memorial for his second wife Mumtaz Mahal who had died while giving birth to their fourteenth child. He was so heartbroken that his hair turned grey overnight. Construction started in 1631 but it wasn’t finished until 1653.
People say it looks as immaculate as it did twenty years ago. Only nonpolluting vehicles are allowed in the immediate vicinity of the Taj. That means no autorickshaws or cars. I was so happy to see this. What I did notice were the battery operated vans that were parked close by.
People arrived at the main gates by camels, by horse and horse-driven carts. My escort was a 12-year-old boy who offered to show me the way. I walked from the Agra Fort because I am still banning my personal use of rickshaw drivers. I was lucky that I ran into this boy or I would have gotten slightly lost. Obviously I knew he wanted money and I gave him some rupees before I went inside. He wasn’t as annoying as some of the other kids who ply me with stupid questions.
Anyway back to the Taj Mahal. Its beauty put everyone in a happy mood. The atmosphere seemed magical. Maybe it’s because I am a romantic. I loved it. Because I am a foreigner, every Indian who had a camera wanted to take a picture with me in front of the monument. The first few times it was amusing but it got quite tiresome. I joked around with them and made sure to kiss the husband on the cheek or scare the children. They got a kick out of that.
I met a lovely woman from Kolkata and I could tell she was genuine. She invited me to visit her in Kolkata. She was visiting the Taj Mahal for the second time with her daughter and best friend.
