To the Taj

Just a short note from Jerusalem. I can't actually keep up with a blog since I am actually traveling and touring -- but here's a quick look.

Went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal a week ago. Traveled by plane from the Dharamsala airport which was about the size of the one in Wings but spankin brand new. I don't think they checked my passport but I was really excited that they had electric hand dryers in the airport bathroom. We drove from Delhi to Agra. I traveled with 3 other ladies from my CCS program - Polly, Tanya and Amy.

Taj was beautiful! We got into Agra at 1 am and got up at 5:30 to see the Taj at sunrise since that is supposed to be the best time. Unfortunately, we missed the sunrise anyway because the line was so long to get in. Fortunately, it was overcast and there wasn't much of a sunrise. It was BEAUTIFUL. Here are just a sampling of the pictures.

By the way -- you husbands out there who a) love your wives and b) think you will outlive them better start saving your poorly valued US dollars! The Taj was built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife who passed away in childbirth with I think their 14th kid! He was soooo distraught, he commissioned the Taj. I overheard a tour guide say it's the first time they used the technique of carving into the marble and inserting the colored stones for the entire design. (The end of the story is sad -- one of his son's overthrew him and imprisoned him until his death -- at least he did give him a prison with a window where he could view the Taj!)