Agar India

A visit to the Taj Mahal: I had mixed feelings about going because of all the hype. But it is like the other wonders of the world, there is a reason why it is so popular. The extraordinary beauty of the place built upon all the magnificent details is worth the effort to see it. A complex work of art. Seeing pictures just doesn't do it. When it was built no doubt they had blue skys and the white marble would have reflected brilliantly in the pools. As it is one goes through with mobs of people, although they give "preference" to foreign visitors at certain points. I had a local guide for the day and he took the photo of me which worked. My camera is very sensitive and freezes up/fails to work too often. After the Taj Mahal I was taken to see how the marble work is done, by the same family for thirteen generations, as it was created for the Taj Mahal. Very good demonstration of the cutting, polishing, and producing of marble art. Then they serve you tea and start showing their product. Of course you get the feeling you can't leave until you buy something, but by then you do want to buy something so unique. And my solution, because I couldn't decide was to buy two pieces. A lovely little box with filagree work and a round piece with inlaid floral design. Little treasures that were just delivered this week to my sister in Oregon. They arrived safely long before my return is known. Next the guide wanted to take me to see an embroidery workshop. I just said no. I knew it would be the same situation and I would want to buy more art. My little back-pack won't take much more. Free delivery was included in the price of the marble after I explained how I was traveling light and could not consider buying anything like marble if I had to carry it. Other than that I didn't try to bargin. I assume the guide gets a commission for bringing me in as he tried hard to convince me to just go look at the embroidery. I choose to go back to my hotel and then took a little walk about by myself.