Namaste!: Taj Mahal!

KK and Raj

KK and Gopal

Yes, it is as magnificently breathtaking as I always thought it would be. You stand there looking at it and it really feels as if it has its own personality, its own life. Impossible to describe. Below you will see 2 photos of this structure, along with a photo of the West Gate and 3 photos of the Red Fort of Agra, which is similar to Amer Fort in Jaipur but much, much bigger! Only 30% of it is open to tourists (the rest is used, even now, by the Indian Army) and even that 30% is MASSIVE.

Above are photos of me with Raj (bus driver) and Gopal (bus “sidekick”), as this will be the last day we see them and we had to say good-bye. Two great guys. Both are friendly, professional, quiet, and worthy of respect. There’s a little routine on every trip—as you board the bus, Gopal sets out a step stool, sometimes gives you a squirt of hand sanitizer, and then helps you up. Without expression he delivers bottles of water at various times throughout the journey. I think the bus rides are entities all their own, truthfully. “Welcome back to the bus!” Abhi will exclaim as we’re all settled. Tomorrow is a long travel day involving a train and a different bus. I forgot where we’re going!

I had asked Abhi about the trash in India and whether there were initiatives in place to help combat the endless litter everywhere. He said yes, and that even five years ago it was much, much worse than it is now. “Show pictures to your friends who have been here. They won’t believe it.” And another thing I learned about Abhi is that his brother is a professional polo player!

After I get these photos uploaded, I need to get ready for the women in our group, who are coming over to my room for a guy to decorate us with henna. I had volunteered to be the host when Abhi asked, and also to be the happy hour host for everyone afterwards, since Abhi has a colleague who’ll be staying with him tonight. Should be fun! Last happy hour the powered went out several times and we cheered like college kids hahaha. (Looks like there’s a wedding here tonight!)