Agra, India- The Taj Mahal
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008“I gave up all I know, To get more” ~ White Stripes
I entered the gate to The Taj Mahal and saw The Taj standing in all its glory, not in a photo and not an image on the travel channel….but before my very eyes! I could actually reach out and touch the cold white marble it was made of! Upon entering the massive marble structure that is The Taj Mahal; that was built for one specific person, one women, one love….oh, how magnificent it was, in both grandeur and beauty, beauty on the outside as well as for the very reason it was built……love! That moment brought tears to my eyes and made me think about the many wonders of the world I had seen up to that point in my travels. I thought to myself, I have seen more of the world and wonders of the world in less than a year than most people will see in a lifetime! And that moment standing in the shadow of The Taj Mahal, I thought back to the year prior, the year I was saving for this very moment and every moment leading up to walking through the corridor to where The Taj Mahal stood.
I thought about the day I walked into Metskers Maps on 1st and Pike and purchased a world map and pushpins. I carried the rolled up map with me on the bus, being especially careful not to bend the map or allow it to get wet by the typical Seattle rain. When I arrived home, I hung the map above my bed. I thought if I hung the map above my bed it would be the first image I would see when I woke in the morning and the last before I went to bed. It would be a motivator for me…for the many working and saving months that laid ahead…..before I set out on my journey around the world.
Once I hung the map, I inserted pushpins in all the countries and cites I wanted to visit……not knowing at the time, it would lead to one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life! When I left the Taj Mahal that day, I felt a sense of accomplishment
In closing, I would like to thank my grandfather and his wife for assisting me in making one of my many dreams and goals become a reality! I just want you to know how much this experience and this journey has meant to me…..I can never re-pay or thank you enough, I only hope by writing this travel blog you both in someway have experienced my travels (I know grandpa forgets…..it’s not easy being 88 :). I love and thank you both…….