Bridges to India in front of Taj Mahal Hey everyone, it's Sam, keeping you informed with the latest update of our travels!
Yesterday, we left New Delhi and took a six hour bus ride to Agra, where we visited the Taj Mahal. It was amazing to see the number of people that could fit into the Tuk Tuks that we narrowly missed crashing into on the highways. People were literally hanging off these doorless three wheeled vehicles. We saw at least twenty crammed into a few of them.
The Taj Mahal was everything we expected and more. It was a surreal experience standing mere feet away from one of the seven wonders of the world. We took enough pictures to keep a Ritz Camera outlet busy printing for hours. What was really suprising, though, is how having pale skin makes you an instant celebrity. The girls were extremely popular and dozens of young Indian men would gather around to take a photo with them.
The way back from the Taj was a gauntlet of the world's greatest souvenier hawkers, tracking down anything that could carry a rupee. Hunter and I looked like secret service agents, wearing matching white shirts and sunglasses. Ok, maybe secret service agents on vacation, but I think it was our intimidation factor that kept pickpockets at bay.
Also, just to reiterate, the Taj Mahal is a ridiculous structure. The feeling of sliding around bare foot on the marble floor of this tomb is incredible.
Natalie had another stair episode, but she seems to be improving with each passing day.
Haha, very funny, Sam. As you might have guessed, this is Natalie writing. But never fear, avid blog readers, my stair climbing exploits have been carefully documented for your entertainment.
In other news, we spent Wednesday morning exploring another magnificent piece of architecture, the Agra Fort. It is strange to be standing in a building so ancient and so masterfully constructed and at the same time surrounded by an ugly layer of contemporary smog. The fort's intricate craftmanship pairs oddly with Agra's pollution. We could see the Taj from a terrace--but barely. It speaks of a time when there were no bickering car horns or overpowering hordes of colorful people sweeping through the streets.
That, without a doubt, is my favorite part of being in India--the people, I mean. Watching them fly by on the bus to Jaipur is amazing. Their waves, their smiles, the contrasts from their lives to ours all inspire us to pull through jet lag and gross bathrooms. We are all in good spirits and taking it all in full force.
Love to my family and Cameron!
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