June 24, 2007
Taj Mahal
My latest trip has taken me back to India and has left me once again in awe at not only the human condition of one fifth of the world's population, but also the marvel of marvels: the Taj Mahal. There have been monuments before and certainly will be monuments after but this is the one building that has to be seen to be taken in completely. Photographs do it no justice at all and although the temperature was in the high thirties (centigrade) shivers were felt in the presence of this true wonder.
The trip from Delhi took over fours hours in an air conditioned "luxury" car. Breakfast at 7am consisted of 600ml of cool local beer and some "funny" cigarettes... so, feeling high and happy, we drove through the conundrum that is the Indian highway, with cows, buffaloes, donkeys and camels sharing the road with Rickshaws, small city cars and trucks. Traffic rules? forget that. At one stage we were on the "other" side of the road with oncoming traffic. Everything flows, even if occasionally the obvious accident proves that even Indian driving philosophy is prone to "hick ups".
After visiting one or two temples, we finally arrive in Agra. A dusty, dirty place where lies the Taj. On approaching the Taj, only electric vehicles are allowed so we changed into a battery operated rickshaw. We went through the northern entrance, which is supposedly reserved for VIPs and arrived at an outer courtyard readying ourselves for a step into the gardens that surround the Taj. The place is bustling with people, even though it is low season, given the heat. I'd hate to see this in peak season.
The whole area is symmetrical, with one exception, which my guide told me and got me very curious. I'll not let it out here. I'll also not say anymore about the Taj itself, only that whoever reads this, should consider putting the Taj Mahal high on their priority list of things to see before you die.
This is Bhoop Singh, my friend/driver/guide from Rajastan, taking a rest on the way back to Delhi at a roadside bar/café.