TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal is not easy to get to. It is located in Agra, India. Just getting there was an experience to talk about. We were scheduled to depart Pune, India on Kingfisher Airlines on Sunday, March 18th. After arriving at the Pune airport we went through security. I packed my curling iron because I planned on having our Christmas card picture taken at the Taj Mahal. I would like to have my hair looking somewhat decent. Apparently, the security guard at the Pune airport was a little confused over my curling iron. "Madam, madam....not allowed!" "Madam...madam....what is this?" I pointed to my hair and said "Curling iron." "Madam....like blow dryer???" I replied "Yes...yes...blow dryer." He then told me I could take it but not carry on. Must be checked baggage. Okay. That wasn't the plan but at least I could take it. At the airport there is a lot of pointing going on. That's the only way you know which direction to walk after going through another type of security level.

The flight was two hours to Delhi, India. On the flight we were given a coleslaw sandwich. When I first looked at it I just laughed. A coleslaw sandwich! Really? Well, it was delicious! I may start making those.

At Delhi we were supposed to meet our driver that Brent had arranged. There are two airports (domestic and international) and the driver was at the wrong airport. We had to wait a few minutes for the driver but that was fine. Gary and I introduced ourselves as "Gary" and "Betsy." Gary asked the driver what he would like to be called and he said "Mr. Singh." The car was pretty old and had light blue stained slipcovers on the seats. We had a five hour drive ahead of us.

I had not been drinking water any that day because I wasn't sure if there would be a rest stop. I was correct and more about that later.

Imagine driving for five hours with continuous beeping and small villages along the way. There was never a place where you did not see people on the side of the road living. I saw at least five men on the side of the road, back turned toward the road,....urinating. I saw camels pulling a wagon. Cows roaming the side of the road and going through piles of trash to try to find something to eat.

Alongside the cars and busses were bulls and camels pulling wagons. There were even a few old tractors on the road.

I don't have a picture because Mr. Singh told us to stay in the car, not look at the people coming up to the window, and DON'T take pictures. We had to cross a state border. Mr. Singh had to get out of the car to show papers and probably pay a bribe. As he left us alone in the locked car we were swarmed by children. "Madam....picture?   Madam...picture?" Mr. Singh told us not to take pictures because then they will demand money.

Tap. tap. tap....The children were tapping on the window. I just looked down at my lap even though I could see a face pressed on the window looking at me. Gary looked out and he experienced his first snake charmer.

We crossed the border and Mr. Singh took us to a tourist trap. On a five-hour trip it is the ONLY place to stop to go to the restroom. I go in and a small boy hands me a napkin. It is the napkin that you use in the kitchen, not the rest room. When I got through taking care of business the small boy is waiting on me to hand me another napkin after I wash my hands. Then, "Money...madam? money...madam?"

There is so much racism here. Mr. Singh is considered lower class. He didn't use the same restroom as we did. Nor, did he even go in to the restaurant for water. We bought bottled water; however, I didn't drink it. Couldn't take the chance on needing to "go" later on.

We met the driver and guide, Rakesh, the next morning at 6:00 a.m. I thought 6:00 a.m. was a little early but I'm so thankful we left when we did. After 9:00 a.m. you can't handle the heat. After meeting Rakesh he immediately informed us he was upper class.

This is what you first see when you arrive at the entrance to the Taj. To the left was some worshippers.

While waiting in line I took several pictures of the monkeys. There were wild monkeys everywhere. Women have a separate line from men so Gary and I were separated at this point.

Gary had already gone through his line. I am not sure why there was this army screen but here I am, waiting to go through security. I had some granola bars in my purse the the guard took them. Indians had a separate line from foreigners. Indians got in free. While standing in line I was slapping mosquitoes the entire time. 

Betsy standing at one of the entrances to the Taj Mahal.

Betsy and Gary standing at one of the entrances to the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is a white, marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shal Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The construction begam around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing 20,000 craftsmen. 

The 1631, Shah Jahan was grief-stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz, died during the birth of their 14th child. The Taj is in honor of her. The Taj Mahal is made of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones. The gold was replaced with bronze after the Indians kept stealing the gold.

  

The reflecting pool reflects the image of the mausoleum.

On the lower walls there white marble dados that have been sculpted with depictions of flowers and vines. The inlay stones are of yellow marble, jasper and jade.

Outside the walls of the Taj Mahal are several additional mausoleums, including those of Shah Jahan's other wives. These structures are composed of red sandstone.

Jumuna River. 

Shah Jahan grieved for two years. His only solace would be an obsession with building the Taj Mahal. Six months after the death of his wife, he laid the foundation for her memorial across the Jamuna River near his place in Agra.