In the immortal words of Keanu Reeves, "whoa."

There are a few times I have been awed like this. No, I take that back, just one. When I saw the Pyramids, my breathe was taken away. When I saw the Taj Mahal at sunset, I gasped as well.

I wasn't sure the cost was going to be worth it. 750 rupees seemed a bit like extortion when locals pay 20. I don't even mind 350, but 750 put a bad taste in my mouth. I knew I was being taken, but there was nothing I could do. I felt especially taken because I know the money earned from entry fees is a hot topic and the head of the state was recently sacked on corruption. She had been up to no good, as is so often the case here. I can't read the paper without seeing an article on someone getting caught or tried on corruption charges. So, I felt like I was just feeding money into someone's pocket.

The minute I laid eyes on the Taj, I forgot all about my misgivings. Is is possibly the most beautiful monument I have ever seen. The white marble is shaped into the sensual curves and the muslim minarets only add to the balance of the design. I can't do it justice so you will just have to go see it for yourself.

The Mughal emperor Akbar (I think) learned that his favorite wife (known as Mumtaz Mahal, or "elect of the palace") had died after 18 years of marriage while she was giving birth to their 14th child. He decided to build the ultimate tomb for her, and this turned out to be the Taj. Every aspect of the Taj is symmetrical, with one ironic exception. The very man who built it is the only thing throwing it off because his tomb was also put here, although that was never his plan. He apparently didn't ever want his plans recreated though because there is a legend that the architect's hand was lopped off as insurance.

There are pools of water reflecting the Taj and I sat for my best Princess Diana shot (there is a very famous photo of her making big eyes in front of the most famous monument to love). I was surprised just how far a 10 rupee baksheesh would get me on my quest for a decent portrait of me sitting on the marble bench Di sat on. My guard literally beat other Indians away to make sure my photo was composed well, and he did the same for my friends. After, many of the Indians invited us to pose with them, and occurance that happened throughout our time there, and we often found babies be thrust in our hands while their parents preened them for the photo.

Another great aspect of visiting the Taj is the array of drop dead gorgeous saris. I am always drawn to deep purples and blues and there was no lack of them for me to admire. I saw the different ways to wear them, which are posh, which are plain, etc. I think I will have to splurge before I leave India on a sari, and then master putting it on.

I also visited the mosque and deserted palaces of Fetphur Sikri and was throughly impressed, a tough thing after seeing the stunning Taj. Agra was not the horrendous place that other travelers have made it out to be. :)