One of the Biggies

(Thursday, August 17 - Agra)

I won't lie. Travelling around in a foreign country you see alot of cool shit, but once in awhile you go into a new place and have to stop in your tracks and sit down to mentally prepare yourself for what lays before you... You've just had your first good glimpse, so you tell yourself "OK, so it's going to be one of THOSE experienes." This is what happened yesterday when I looked through the Southern red sandstone gateway and caught sight of ant-sized people standing before the glistening white Taj Mahal. It's one of those buildings that nothing can quite prepare you for. The other of historical significance and of internationally-known caliber that first comes to mind is the Eiffel Tower (Apparently there's a global poll happening now to decide the NEW 7 Wonders of the World, but as of now they're both on the short list). Even for non-architecture buffs, the joy, awe + inspiration they give is visible on every single face around you.

The Taj is the tangible result not only of an architect with a divine vision, but of 20,000 craftsmen at the top of their game and 22 years worth of effort. Rumour has it that some later had their hands or thumbs amputated to ensure that the perfection of the Taj could never be repeated - Ouch!... and isn't that being just a BIT selfish?! The simple, statuesque minarets; The perfect onion dome; Gleaming white marble painstakingly inlaid with semi-precious stones in floral motif; Intricately sculpted marble screens; Manicured lawn with fountains + reflecting pools - It IS the perfect sum of all it's parts.

We stayed all afternoon, enjoying and exploring from every angle until the last of the suns' rays faded away. Capped the day off with a couple "Karma" beers on our roof-deck to cool down as we watched the giant bats fly out for their evening feasting. We followed suit.

Here's a "link" to more photos from Agra