004 Namaste from the Taj

We left for the Taj Mahal from Mansingh Palace at around 6:30 this morning, meaning I’ve been up since 5:30am. Sick. I feel that this whole waking up at an ungodly hour thing might become a trend throughout this trip...let’s hope not. In any case, we rode the bus to the Taj visitors center and after getting our tickets and bottles of water in individualized bags (oh yeah), we rode an electric mini-bus to the monument itself. Let me take a minute to point out just how incredible a job I think India’s Ministry of Tourism is doing. First – individualized paper bags with bottles of water and maps? You’d be hard pressed to that find that kind of thought and consideration in the States.

Wut.

Also, we had to ride electric mini-buses to the Taj as a method of preserving the integrity of its structure and surfaces. The Indian government has actually banned any vehicles that use gas within a square mile (maybe more!) of the Taj so that the pollutants don’t damage the white marble the building is made of. In the States, people play intramural sports on the foundation of the Washington Memorial. It’s ridiculous. It makes me feel like Americans are just so careless about the preservation of monuments/buildings that we should deem important. Meh. 

Electric mini-buses.

Anyway, we eventually got to what I suppose can be called the outer gate of the Taj and were a little skeptical as to whether the Taj would actually be behind the gates or not…apparently, this architecture is done on purpose to build something of an element of surprise, which is pretty ingenious. We took plenty of pictures (not going to be fun to upload three weeks from now!), and listened as Arjun explained the history of the Taj as well as some other interesting facts about the time it was built. We learned that both the outer gate as well as the Taj itself was built utilizing different styles of architecture, a melting pot of ideas really, and it made a lot of sense – much of India is built the same way. 

On the way to the Taj!

The Taj was behind this structure. WHO KNEW.

In any case, eventually, we excitedly entered the gate toward the Taj, and of course, it was breathtaking.

Ta-daaaahhhh!

Unfortunately, it was a little foggy this morning, but the weather soon cleared up nicely, and the group had a wonderful time taking pictures, strolling the grounds and enjoying a little piece of history. I won’t go on about how beautiful the Taj is, but you can bet your bottom dollar that it was phenomenal.

Breathtaking.

Eventually, the class got together to take a group picture with the Taj in the background, and of course, we had to enlist a “professional photographer” to help us take it. And of course, like a boss, he asked if any of us wanted solo pictures with the Taj after the group picture, knowing we’d be tourist-y and agree shamelessly. And of course I agreed. So anyway, he tells me the pictures are 100 rupees each, and proceeds to take three pictures of me. And all this while, I’m thinking sweet – I’ll have three pictures to choose from and I’ll pick the best one and it’ll be dandy – which shouldn’t have been a big deal, seeing as he had a digital camera. But when I went to talk to him about choosing pictures, he told me that all of them were nice and then he ran away. We met up with him later as we were heading out and I learned that no, I could not in fact choose the pictures I wanted as he had printed all three and so yes, I had to 400 rupees for my pictures (including the group picture which is the only picture I wanted in the first place).  So. I blew $8 on PICTURES that I took on my camera ANYWAY, like a tourist. Ugh. Sick. I'M SUCH A TOURIST. 

Pffbbbhhtttt.

Purtttyyy.

Precious stone inlay.

After finishing up at the Taj (and losing Thomas somewhere along the way), we headed back to the hotel for breakfast. 

Camwhoring while waiting for Thomas to return. But of course.

We didn’t have too much time to enjoy breakfast unfortunately, but it was nice to eat some familiar food! We had to check out of the hotel this morning, so more hurried packing took place, naturally. I need to learn to not turn my room into a tornado every day so repacking isn’t such a hassle. Kaleah and I somehow managed to get downstairs with our luggage in time, and after handing it off to be loaded onto the bus, we departed for the Agra Fort. 

It’s worth mentioning that after you see the Taj Mahal, almost any monument following it is nowhere near is cool. That being said, the Agra Fort was still pretty awesome. The monument itself is mostly made of red sandstone and it was an interesting contrast set against the pure white marble we experienced earlier this morning at the Taj. 

We spent a little more time at the Agra Fort sightseeing, taking pictures and listening the interesting history and stories Arjun shared with us. Again, the architecture was remarkably intricate and detailed and just fun to look at. I took plenty of pictures of the designs at the Fort – who knows, I could use them for some of my graphic work later on. 

Side note – I think the level of skill and more importantly, creativity, displayed at these monuments has been phenomenal. 

Baby monkey!

We headed towards Fatehpur Sikri after the fort, and were treated to more incredible architecture. I still can’t fathom how there are so many beautiful pieces of historical architecture located so near to each other. 

Each level was for a different wife of the Emperor. Boss.

I have no idea what these are.

Me, Seth, Mary

In between the visit to the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, the group headed to a local “pharmacy” in Agra city. Dr. Anand and Dr. Ellstrand needed to purchase some medicine, for what I shall call, a preemptive strike. I use the term pharmacy very loosely here. First - there appears to be plenty of pharmacies located everywhere in India. I’m quite sure the regulations and licensing laws here are nowhere near as strict as they are back home. 

Alex was having some problems.

Also – I have no idea if the people providing the medication have any formal training at all, or if they just learned the tricks of the trade through apprenticeship. I suppose that would make sense seeing as a India is so steeped in its relationships and culture. 

Christine: "lol look at the fat man wearing the shirt that says jeans"

Another thing – there are no prescriptions needed to purchase medicine at these pharmacies. I’m not sure how much of it is over-the-counter drugs, but still. In any case, the group went down to check the pharmacy out and basically cause a ruckus. Pretty hard not to when you’re a group of 20 Americans in the middle of the city of Agra. 

Mmm. Drugs. Omnomnomnom.

Medicine isn't all you can buy at pharmacies in India.

Right after, we went to purchase some pumpkin candies, which apparently are a local delicacy. I tried some, and can’t say I’m too big of a fan, but I bought a box to take home anyway. 

Ehhhh.

So, one thing I definitely noticed in Agra – and I mean this in the nicest possible way – the city is so underdeveloped. Unless you already knew the Taj, considered one of the wonders of the world, was there, you simply wouldn’t know the Taj was there. This situation is almost the exact opposite of the United States. The second we find anything even remotely sellable, we commercialize like there’s no tomorrow. There were no fancy hotels, no legions of tourists, no Starbucks stores, nothing! Heck – even most of the roads remained undeveloped.

I completely understand the concept of “don’t fix what ain’t broke”, but I still feel like some level of commercialization could help the city financially, maybe help raise a percentage of its population out of poverty. That being said, I also adored Agra for being such a quiet little town, if such a concept exists here in India. There weren’t a billion tourists you had to fight with to see world-class monuments, and not seeing Starbucks or a Ritz was pretty refreshing. I spoke to Dr. Ellstrand about the on the bus, and he offered that this might be a result of Indians’ love of their tradition and of their culture. Why bring in foreign or Western forces and influences, when the system they have works perfectly for them? 

After Fatehpur Sikri, we boarded the bus for Jaipur. At this point, my memory fails me miserably as I slept essentially the whole way there. I do recall hearing news that the highway we needed to utilize was blocked as a result of some protests, and so we had to take an alternative road through some villages. I was awake for some of that, and was excited to see that countless villagers had come out to wave at our bus! Little kids chased after our buses and parents would poke their heads out of their homes to see what the ruckus was about. It was awesome! 

'Sup.

I later learned that our bus driver was basically incredible as he maneuvered through some pretty ridiculous roads to get us to our destination safely. We arrived at the Mansingh Hotel in Jaipur a while ago, and Kaleah and I are settling into our rooms. We’re pretty stoked that we have another night of hot running water tonight.