Overdue Update: Agra

Hello all, sorry for the long delay! things have been very busy here. I was in the state of Bihar last week for work and then immediately went out of town for the weekend. Last weekend, I went with roommates and friends on a one-day trip to Agra to see the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. Agra Fort is where Shah Jahan, who built the Taj, was imprisoned by his son. He was imprisoned in one of the palaces he built within the fort, in full view of the Taj, until he died. After cavorting around Agra Fort in severe heat, our cab driver took us to a lovely restaurant for lunch. Lonely Planet and other sources allege that one scam in Agra involves restaurants poisoning tourists and then taking them to the hospital and charging outrageous bills. To prevent this from happening to us, Brian told our waiter - in Hindi - that we worked for the US government and that any poisoning would be big news. Would they have poisoned us in the first place? Highly unlikely, but best not to take chances.

After lunch we made a quick stop at an emporium and marble store, where craftsman were creating the delicately inlaid designs typical of Agra. (all the taxi drivers have deals with the local shopowners and get commission for bringing people in, hence the shopping stops. could have been annoying, but our driver was wonderful and did not pressure too much).

Then finally, to the Taj! As Julie predicted, the Taj Mahal is the one majorly hyped thing I've ever seen that has lived up to expectations. And exceeded them. To walk through the entry way and see it tower across the landscape is breathtaking. My pictures cannot possibly do it justice. (It is amazing what true love, too much money, and copious slave labor can accomplish.) We enjoyed a lovely afternoon exploring, and posing for numerous pictures...both our own and for other people wanting to take photos with white girls. we danced, and got others to join in with us. And then we boarded the train to return to Delhi. Truly, a marvelous day.

Photos:

2009 - Agra Fort and Taj Mahal

Brian's fabulous video recap: