North India Tour Part Two-Agra/Delhi

Until we actually reached Agra we had essentially an all day drive stopping a couple times for a bathroom break, and once at our guide’s family house for a dab of tea. Also we stopped to see a mogul fort right on the outside of Agra which was really cool. Once we actually reached Agra you could feel the excitement as everyone yelled “WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE TAJ!” every few minutes. That night we didn’t get see the famous wonder of the world yet, but the restaurant of our motel did have a revolving dining area that looked out over the city; not bad for a first night.

The big day finally arrived after a short night of sleep everyone woke up early to try and catch the Taj as early as possible. After an international bus ride including some people from Katmandu and Spain we reached the Taj. Honestly when you first see it you kind of have to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming. Places like the Taj can’t have their magnificence on film or in any other way besides witnessing it in person. The buildings surrounding (which you don’t know are there by all of the pictures of the Taj) are pretty awesome too, but the tomb inside isn’t out of this world, but if you plan to see the Taj make sure you have a whole day to spend there alone.

Upon our arrival at the Taj everyone brought out their cameras and were taking pictures like crazy, and it was kind of like strike a pose, grab the closest person next to you and shoot like crazy. One kid in the group took 400 pictures at the Taj alone, and then as we were leaving he was adding to it. The park surrounding the Taj is a great place to wander around and enjoy the splendor you are beholding. Sadly when we went it was a bit smoggy, but the white marble managed to shine through. I think that one of the coolest parts about the Taj is that so many people from around the world come to see it and gape at it that it kind of is like an international convention. Everyone is soo excited to see the same thing that you find yourself exchanging looks with the person beside you and just smiling, and even if it is in a different language you know they are thinking the exact same thing as you “I can’t believe I am standing here!”

Our tour guide for the Taj had us on a really tight schedule, and every single one of us were about an hour late, and as a result we received a lecture, and had to skip the Agra fort to instead visit a temple in Delhi. After a quick stopped at the hotel to gather our things, and then one at MacDonalds for lunch (sadly, how typical of foreign teenagers, but when I tell them I rarely go to MacDonalds in the US they are kind of shocked) we were on our way to Delhi on a race against time to make it to the temple by 5:00 pm.

When we finally did reach Delhi, on time, but cutting it close, the traffic was crazy and every car was packed full of people. My personal record of people in a 5 seater car here in India is 9 full grown adults, and even for long journeys a single seat to yourself, is rare. In other words every car in Delhi is holding about 9 people, and all the buses are jammed pack. Luckily we made it to the temple which as it turns out was a Swaminarayan temple. To get in we had to remove anything metal, cameras, belts, and basically get patted down due to a bombing of one of their temples not so long ago.
Honestly upon entering the gardens and building surrounding the temple I didn’t think that it would be one of my favorite places, but it gives the Taj a run for its money. Before actually entering the temple most of the exchange students bought tickets to see the exhibition of the temple, a light/fountain show, and a boat ride/tour of the vedic ages. The exhibition included some informational movies and then a walking tour where some amazing robots narrated the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan the holy man who began making the swaminayaran temples in the fist place. We then sat and watched the amazing fountain show of water and lights all coreographed to music! I think it was one of my favorite light/water shows (also one of the few I’ve seen), and the background was the temple decorated in its evening lights! After the light show we walked through an educational display on the teachings of Bhagvan Swaminayaran, and then following the boat ride that took us through the vedic ages and all of its discoveries. That night in Delhi we didn’t get into our hotel till around 10:00, and before going to bed managed to grab a bite to eat.

Our day in Delhi was much too short, and we only were able to see about half the things we were supposed to, but we still managed to have a good time. At Humayan’s Tomb we met some people from Pakistan, and one of the guys in the group started telling me about himself (and very proud of himself I might add), and then radomly gave me this CD of this band he was doing technical work for. About half way through the day we walked a ways to find a MacDonalds and met some amassadors kids from France. From there we visited some more sights before we had to head to the train station.

Since I have heard through the grape vine of some complaints about how long my posts are, from now on I am going to try to make more entries, but shorter. Happy New Year to everyone, and I will work on Part III of my north tour-Dharamshala soon!