India, Norman & The Taj Mahal

One of the main reasons of traveling to India was to see the Taj Mahal. Beyond that India was an enigma to me.  After visting I realized that I had just visited one of the most unusual and unique places on earth.  I determined that India wins in a lot of categories:     

1. Most interesting religious trip        

2. Best tuk tuk ride       

3. Spiciest & most intense food       

4. Most hawkers        

5. And last but not least dirtiest place on earth.        

Travel is always made more interesting by the company that you travel with.  I was fortunate enough to have Norman Ikeda join me on this leg of the journey.  Norman who is about the same age as my dad had a myriad of experiences.  Over our really long car/train trips I had the opportunity to have discussions on design, religion and life.  It was very interesting to see the similarities in him and my own parents.  Needless to say he was an invaluable travel buddy for one of the most unusual countries on earth. 

Delhi

 

The Spice Market Delhi.  The smell of spices was overpowering.  I realized that most of the spices that we enjoy in the states originated in India.

 

Cows are free to roam the streets. 

 

A Tuk Tuk ride during rush hour in Delhi blows away Space Mountain.  My Tuk Tuk driver, over charged me, made me wait for propane and threw my ice cream wrapper on the ground for me.  

 I got to Delhi two days before Norman.  I typically go budget when I travel.

   

 This arch is pretty bad ass. 

     In India they will do anything to sell you a carpet.  Our “friend” ran a lighter over the surface of the carpet.  FYI- there was no damage.   

 The Train to Agra 

 Agra   

When I lived in Maryland, one of my childhood friends (Bob Sarab Kahn) was from India.  I remember one year he went to India for a visit.  My mom asked him for a poster of the Taj Mahal.  Instead she got a cast bronze plate   Me and Norman at the entry gate to the Taj.   View through the entry gate.  I asked our guide if it was true that after the Taj was complete that all of the workers hands were cut off so the Taj Mahal could never be replicated.  He told me it wasn’t true. 

 

In India they love cows! 

Diwan-I-Khas

 

Marble Pavilion. 

  

 This garden was simple be very impactful.    In India they have the most intricate stone screens. 

 Agra Fort 

   

 Agra fort was made out of red sandstone.

King Akbar’s Fatehpur Sikri.  This incredible and well preserved palace was abandoned due to water issues. 

 

There was no wood or steel used in the construction of the palace.     This is a stone awning.  Truly amazing. 

  

 It was 44 deg. Celsius or over a 110 deg. Fahrenheit.  So yeah I’m sweating.   

Camel Power