Today was an early wake up call to catch the train to Agra and the famous Taj Mahal. I boarded the train from Delhi at 6am and within about two hours I had reached Agra.
As soon as I step off the train, I know this is going to be another out-there experience because the people trying to sell me things here, is more prominent than ever. Everything from little miniature Taj's, to camera and films, to bottled water, is being thrust in my face, and in every other unsuspecting tourists face. I tighten my grip on the pile of cash and passport in my pocket.
A short bus ride to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and an impressive Marble Emporium filled in most of my day before I was to catch the overnight train to the Holy City of Varanasi and the Ganges.
The Taj is a sight to behold and I just stand and marvel at its beauty and boldness before deciding to approach it for a closer look. It took 200 years to build and is a symbol of love from an Indian King to his wife, doubling also as her tomb. I am warned of a scam before venturing into the grounds of the Taj and that is taking a photo of you and acting as if it is a friendly gesture, and then charging you off the wall for the pic. Fortunately, I take my own pics. (It's interesting looking back at the pictures and the amount of random Indians that seem to invade the background of all of them.)
The Marble Emporium is crazy. All of the work is done on the ground outside; carving, smoothing, shining, and even sticking the little coloured glass pattern pieces to each item. It looks like pain-staking work and even though I can't afford to buy a piece, I take a photo and give the dude a tip for his picture. Just some amazing work.
After a Kingfisher and a vegetarian curry, I head back to the Agra train station and am faced with a 3 hour, unexpected wait for the train to Varanasi. The wait is long and cold and my stomach is not feeling at all good but I don't want to use the scummy train station toilets. I sit on the concrete platform, leaning against my pack and watch the many interesting happenings and goings on that the station provides.
Finally I board the second class, sleeper carriage, and with my feet sticking off the end of my bunk, get a good nights sleep in (as well as can be expected, what with food and beverage sellers boarding at every stop) before waking to yet another amazing, Indian city.
To be continued…
