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Taj Mahagical
Our dedicated Taj Mahal day lasted from sunrise till sunset. Getting up at the crack of dawn (literally!) we jumped into the first ricksaw wallah that we could find to catch sunrise over the Taj. That didn't quite happen due to everyone else having the same idea (ie queue-a-rama!) but walking through that red sandstone gate and seeing the ethereal glowing white marble Taj against a backdrop of dawn sky was jaw droppingly beautiful (and Lyns can vouch even if you've seen it before the Taj still has the same magical pull as the first time).
What was striking and beautiful for us as 'craft lovers' (!) especially given the focus of this trip was the amount of handwork involved in creating this masterpiece. From the very construction of this giant mausoleum to the intricacies of the gemstone patterned inlay and carved screens, it was hard to imagine just how such a vast building was made before modern technologies (it's dated early 1600s) yet at the same time you can almost feel the ghosts of the craftsmen working by hand. We spent about three hours wandering around in awe and about half that time posing for pictures of our own and surprisingly random strangers'.
After an afternoon of pottering and swimming (yes, swimming!) we set off again for more Taj love - this time from the other side of the river and at dusk. Watching the glow of the dying sun on the water we said goodbye to the Taj Mahal...feeling as if we'd known it all our lives and knowing it will stay with us for ever. Ta-raj for now!
Delhilicious!
We've arrived in the capital of India! And we've already met a couple of angels...Namely Anuj, the guy who zoomed us through frantic late nigh Delhi stationland - carrying bags whenever stairs appeared, guiding us through the metro system, paying our fare and delivering us safely to our stop. After stepping out of Patel Chowk station at 11.15pm and being faced by what we've come to know as typically Indian - an uncrossable road - our second angel appeared. This time in uniform. Leaving his rifle in his van, the policeman escorted us across the road, stopping traffic and helping us reach our bed for the night. Thank you angels!
We're now adjusting to Delhi - it's weird, there's pavements, getting ourselves ready for our next big meet: Manzil, a market based youth project and making the most of Delhi's fantastic museum resources. We're ready for more inspiration!
Today's travel update: Continuing on our wildlife theme, there are Zebras here in Delhi. Yes, zebra crossings.
Taj Mahagical
Our dedicated Taj Mahal day lasted from sunrise till sunset. Getting up at the crack of dawn (literally!) we jumped into the first ricksaw wallah that we could find to catch sunrise over the Taj. That didn't quite happen due to everyone else having the same idea (ie queue-a-rama!) but walking through that red sandstone gate and seeing the ethereal glowing white marble Taj against a backdrop of dawn sky was jaw droppingly beautiful (and Lyns can vouch even if you've seen it before the Taj still has the same magical pull as the first time).
What was striking and beautiful for us as 'craft lovers' (!) especially given the focus of this trip was the amount of handwork involved in creating this masterpiece. From the very construction of this giant mausoleum to the intricacies of the gemstone patterned inlay and carved screens, it was hard to imagine just how such a vast building was made before modern technologies (it's dated early 1600s) yet at the same time you can almost feel the ghosts of the craftsmen working by hand. We spent about three hours wandering around in awe and about half that time posing for pictures of our own and surprisingly random strangers'.
After an afternoon of pottering and swimming (yes, swimming!) we set off again for more Taj love - this time from the other side of the river and at dusk. Watching the glow of the dying sun on the water we said goodbye to the Taj Mahal...feeling as if we'd known it all our lives and knowing it will stay with us for ever. Ta-raj for now!
Delhilicious!
We've arrived in the capital of India! And we've already met a couple of angels...Namely Anuj, the guy who zoomed us through frantic late nigh Delhi stationland - carrying bags whenever stairs appeared, guiding us through the metro system, paying our fare and delivering us safely to our stop. After stepping out of Patel Chowk station at 11.15pm and being faced by what we've come to know as typically Indian - an uncrossable road - our second angel appeared. This time in uniform. Leaving his rifle in his van, the policeman escorted us across the road, stopping traffic and helping us reach our bed for the night. Thank you angels!
We're now adjusting to Delhi - it's weird, there's pavements, getting ourselves ready for our next big meet: Manzil, a market based youth project and making the most of Delhi's fantastic museum resources. We're ready for more inspiration!
Today's travel update: Continuing on our wildlife theme, there are Zebras here in Delhi. Yes, zebra crossings.
Angels at the beginning ... angels at the end ... surrounded by them ... you can't go wrong! Love your blogs guys. Lots of love xxxxx
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