Agra
Today began with a leisurely, and at times (more often than not) scary drive to Agra. Agra is 185 Km from Deli. We will spend the next two days there. Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal. We will visit first thing in the morning. We will have a special guide that will tell us all about the Taj. I do know one interesting story. When it was completed, the Emperor wanted to build an identical Taj next to the original using all black marble. His son told him no, and locked him up in the Taj to prevent him from carrying out his plan.
Half way to Agra we stopped for chai. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I had nothing to worry about, the chai was divine. It was served in a small unglazed ceramic cup. When you are finished you throw the cup in a recycle bin. All the cups are recycled and made into new cups. This is a very practical and also very sanitary practice.
Chai stop along the the way to Agra.
One of our in-country hosts has taken me under his wing and has adopted me as his second father. It’s charming. He looks after me and makes sure I have everything I need. He takes great pleasure in explaining things to me and making sure I get a hot cup of chai whenever there is one available.
My new step-son.
We arrived at our hotel in Agra at 3:00 pm. We sat down in the hotel restaurant for a late lunch early dinner. We had rice, spinach dal, naan, and masala. Very simple, but prepared to perfection. It was marvelous.
After dinner we all went to a silver shop. The jewelry was exceptional. I bought a black onyx ring. It reminds me of a ring my father used to wear. The price was very reasonable. A few of us went for a full body hot oil massage after our shopping. I’ve never experienced anything quite like that. I’m back in my room at the hotel now and feeling relaxed and ready for a good rest. Tomorrow is going to be another exciting day.