Delhi-->Agra-->Delhi

14 March 2012

            At around 7am we climbed in a car that was arranged by the hotel that took us from Delhi to Agra.  It was about a 4-hour drive there and a 4-hour drive back.  We drove through many small towns littered throughout the highway.  There were multiple forms of transportation on this highway. We saw over 15 people crammed into one tuc tuc, a cow pulling large quantities of hay, 5 people on one scooter (gives a whole new meaning to two football players, one scoot), and tractors pulling trailers full of people. Once we arrived in Agra, we picked up a tour guide and went straight to the Taj Mahal.   It was incredible seeing something that was so incredibly built so long ago.  The writing on the Taj and the outside gates gradually get larger as it goes up so the viewers reading the writing on the building can read everything from the ground. Our tour guide knew a lot about the taj mahal, agra fort, and the surrounding history.  He also liked to photograph in his spare time.  He took my camera from me in the beginning of the tour and took pictures of us throughout our tour.  I must say, he knew the many angles of the Taj.  Every time there was someone standing where he wanted to take a picture or someone walked into the frame, he would yell at the Indian in Hindi.  I would love to take him around with me in Disney World. We went inside the taj, but we were not permitted to take pictures.  There was an Indian tourist line and a foreigner line to get into the Taj. Again, I was shocked by this obvious segregation.

            Throughout our tours of the Taj Mahal, we had numerous Indians come up to us and ask us to take pictures with them.  A lot of the times they would respect their customs on how they touch women, but sometimes they put their arms around us.  I knew this was not how they were taught to treat women, so I got very uncomfortable whenever they put their arms around me, especially when they touched the small of my back.  A lot of women were throwing their children at us so the kids would have pictures with white people. I felt like I was a celebrity that did not have any personal space.  This added to the experience of visiting India's tourist attractions.

            After Taj Mahal, we visited a marble inlay factory and store.  They showed us how the people that build the Taj used marble inlays to create the magnificent designs displayed throughout the structure.  Some of the flowers and smaller pieces were made from over a thousand small stones. I couldn't pass up this opportunity: I bought a small chess set and had it sent home (should be coming to the office soon mom and dad!) After the marble factory we went to Agra fort.  You could see the Taj Mahal from the fort.  I felt like I was royalty standing in the fort.  I could close my eyes and picture thousands of people running around trying to keep the king happy.  The architecture throughout both of these buildings was extremely unique and always played with your perception of how you view things.  For instance, in order to see all of the beams in one of the buildings from the outside, they made the beams all different sizes.  I am so happy I had the opportunity to view these honorary world wonders.