TAJ MAHAL and the Agra Fort

The Taj Mahal.

Majestic. Wonderful. Awe-inspiring. Breath taking. White. Huge. Beautiful. It was simply wonderful. I couldn’t have imagined it more spectacular or beautiful. I can’t describe it well enough (my vocabulary has definitely decreased since living in India) so I’m not going to try: I’ll just show you the beautiful pictures!

Katie and I had thought we would have to 
wear the Indian suits so when we found out we could wear western clothes we were pretty excited. We decided we wanted to wear something fun and Indian but still pretty. We found these awesome, colorful, “Indian”, still pretty (as in they don’t look like an unflattering bag) outfits in Delhi.

With our gold earrings, bright outfits, white skin and red lips we made quite a scene. I felt so self conscious walking down the street to the Taj Mahal. After a few minutes inside the Taj Mahal I was fine. Everyone and their brother wanted to take pictures with us.  We said yes most of the time. Hundreds of pictures. It was really fun.

Ruth and I

Katie and I said good bye to Kelly, Ruth and Diane (who headed back to the farm). We spent the night in Agra at the Sai Palace.

 The next day went to see the Agra Red Fort. The biggest fort in all of Asia. We asked the restraunt how far away it was and how much we should pay to get there. The man was almost disgusted that we would want to take an auto “only 15 minute walk” and “walk is healthy”. We decided he was right, we should walk. So we walked about 10 minutes and then asked for more directions “keep going, only 15 minutes” was our answer. 15 minutes later we checked again “only 10-15 minutes walk”. Do you see the pattern? 

But finally the Fort came into view. We were very excited. We crossed the road and started looking for the enterance. We walked, and walked, and looked and looked, and walked and looked some more. Finally we found the enterance. If you picture the fort as a clock, where we first came when we crossed the road was the 12. We walked towards the 1 when the enterance was at the 11. Katie and I walked all the way around the biggest fort in Asia. 

It was beautiful. And we made a little money. This time when people asked us if they could take pictures of us we made them pay 10 rupees (about 20 cents) a picture.