Travel Logs, Agra November 21, 2005

Oh..the Taj Mahal, an Architectual wonder built for a love lost. It is such a marvelous sight, a sight to see early, at sunrise.

It seemed impossible to me that no one other than six people would rise to see the majesty of the Taj Mahal but I was sixth in line. How lucky, I thought. I proceeded and with the doors not yet open, I waited in anticipation to be alone, listening to some romantic music on my Ipod and viewingn the marvels of the famous Taj Mahal.

So I entered, entered through security only to be told to check my Ipod for it could not enter. I checked my Ipod with disappointment and returned to the gate. With 20 people in line, I had to wait again.

And I entered with just a few people in the entry courtyard and a doorway built for a King or Queen.....and the Taj appeared. The Taj Mahal appeared with the consistent haze of polution I have become so accustomed to and an audience of thousands. Where did they all come from? I do not know but they were not in the romantic mood I would expect but noisy and pushy...they were tourists. Tourist that came in bus loads, tourist that were not on a journey or in awe of the marvel, tourist that were so annoying.

Their bahavior and lack of respect for such an architectual marvel was overshadowed only by the paid photographers that stalk you for business. The photographers that do not allow tourists to appreciate the location which holds the most spectacular view because they use it as the backdrop to their business. They are like hawks that push you away to get their photo and business in a mass monopoly. A monopoly that I decide would stop.... so with the help of two other tourist, I pushed my way passed the photographers and tourist bus people and sat. Sat on the bench to get my photo taken with my camera and I waited. I did not care that they hissed and insisted I get up, I turned around and appreciated the Taj Mahal from the most spectacular viewpoint on the property.

It is exquisite....

This picture is not from the location described above...this is from a quiet spot in the Red Fort that allowed me to appreciate the beauty with quiet, romantic, music playing in my ear.