Agra

I have been on a mammoth trip this weekend, but so worth it. I organised a taxi service for a day trip out to Agra to see Akbar’s tomb, Taj Mahal and Agra fort. It was a 4 hour trip each way, on some of the most chaotic jam packed roads you have seen. Everyone beeping to say I am here or get out the way, I’ve come to the conclusion it means both! At junctions you’re faced with auto rickshaws slipping into gaps you didn’t even think were there and motorbikes coming at you head on, as one way does not apply to them. Amongst this crazy chaos a cattle herder decides it’s the best time to move his cows across the road as they weave in and out of traffic you look around and you think who is going to get hit first. You cannot actually believe it when you get past, it must have been a harry potter moment and everything just sucks right in so you can all slip past. You go past lorries on the road that are way overfilled, suspension gone on one side and precariously leaning to one side (your side!) as you go past. Not to mention the oxen pulling carts full of hay in one huge bag sagging over the cart nearly touching the ground, this is just the journey.

Once we finally arrived we were accosted by touts’, guides, souvenir sellers, as a foreigner you are the prized target. In my Hindi lessons I have learnt to say JA JA, it means go away abruptly, it’s very useful as the polite ‘no thank you’ does not get you anywhere, and you can get followed for miles. Seeing Agra I am glad I did not arrange to stay overnight as the town is very run down, nowhere looked nice to lodge.

In the monuments it was a completely different experience, fewer crowds, beautiful sights and a feeling of calm and tranquillity this seems to be where the money is spent, certainly not on the town. The photos will not do it justice I’m afraid they never do but the Taj Mahal was spectacular. We even got a reasonably priced meal and a bottle of kingfisher at the Taj Restaurant which completely washed away the journey. It was a great day in all with many experiences. I had to spend the next day chilling out. This week I plan to pick up some more tailor made Salwar Kameez’s, I’ve gone bright as that’s the way to do it here, a red, blue and orange one. Starting to get prepared for my long stay here, 36 degrees today and I need some air flowing clothes. Of course I will get some pictures in somewhere.