Taj Mahal...... Check!

We left our hotel around 600 am India time to make our trip to Agra. We were told that the total time to get there would be about 3 1/2 - 4 hours. That time estimate was exactly right. We traveled through several toll booths which proved interesting - there were monkeys on leashes, kids selling trinkets, men dressed as women, etc. Certainly not a boring trip - well, I'm only considering the times that we were awake.

We arrived in Agra and picked up our guide - off to the Taj Mahal we went. It was explained that we'd get on a bus that would take us close to the Taj Mahal and from there we'd walk to the entrance gate. Before getting on the bus, many folks selling "stuff" bombarded you with their wares. I did find something I thought rather interesting - a bindi stamp set with paint <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bindi_(decoration)>. My creative mind started thinking that this would be rather neat to incorporate in my scrapbook/card making ventures. I ignored him though as instructed and boarded the bus contemplating my offer upon our return. I was rather impressed with the arrival process, as I envisioned mass chaos - people, scooters, bicycles, animals, peddlers, cars, etc. Buses were the only mode of transport up until about a block or so from the Taj, then foot traffic only. Walking to the Taj there were all kinds of stores and kids wanting you to buy their wares.

I could hardly stand the wait! Today, I was marking something off of my life list!! There are three gates to enter the site all funneling through one building. As you can imagine, there was a little traffic jam of people stopping, gazing and snapping photos of the Taj as they passed through the arches. You'll see a picture of this in my attached album. Words just can't describe how wonderful the structure is, not to mention the story behind it. There were people from all over the world. At one point, I thought WE were the site to behold as many stopped to stare at us. My friends assured me that I didn't have toilet paper trailing behind me or something hanging from my nose - nevertheless, we were an attraction (and no, I wasn't laughing at the top of my lungs or making a spectacle). I think the next time that happens, I'll actually take a photo of them - maybe that would help. Anyway, our guide was wonderful and took us to the best places to take pictures. Then, he would take our pictures. I felt badly as he was juggling three cameras, water bottles and purses while trying to capture pictures of us. So, here are a few shots of the day <http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=217557563/a=109545564_109545564/t_=109545564>.

We were dropped off at a place to see how the designs were etched into the marble at the Taj Mahal - what an intricate process! Of course the things in this store were NOT bargain basement, nor were the other things located on floor 2-4. We left and went to lunch. There was a mix up during our tour as we thought we would see other things in Agra, however after lunch we headed back to Delhi (another 4 hours back). All as well because we were tired. We took a detour actually through Delhi on the way back. Now that I think about it, I wish I would have taken some photos. I have about 5 more weeks to accomplish that I guess. We got back to our hotel around 7 pm or so.

Taj Mahal..... check.