Our van had to pull over about a kilometer from the side entrance to the Taj Mahal. No cars with gasoline engines were allowed too near the entrance. I am not too sure why this rule was impose but I am assuming that it has something to do with reducing the smog that was causing further degradation to the surrounding areas. My second assumption is a shallow one. Maybe they want to make additional cash by fetching us in their cool electric buggies. To be honest with you, the walk from where we were to the Taj Mahal was not that far and I felt that our camel ride was short lived, less low tech if you compared it to the electronic buggies. It was a good experience for us as it was for the camel. At least he got to do something rather then stand around for another helpless tourist to snap a photo of him. Hopefully our contribution will get him a feast later in the day although I highly doubt that ever happens.
We hired a guide and most of us were contemplating on whether we should get one. I wasn't sure myself but the decision was on me. All I know was that I have always regretted not renting an audio guide or a physical guide during my trips, especially history related trips. So I took my chances and said "Let's go for it". He seemed like an honest gentleman but I know that it is no good if you are trying to be a good judge of character. Never judge a book by its cover or so they say. I think it is 50/50 sometimes. Who would have known, our guide was very satisfactory and it seems I still have a good judge of character. As a local, he does know his stuff - what is needed to earn an honest living by sharing his traditions and cultures with foreigners.
Towards that end of the tour, we started talking about the local politics in India and how he was not happy with the way things are going, especially in Agra. I explained that he has a lovely and highly complex culture in India and that is what is most important. "Yes indeed and I love my country very much". Now this is the kind of person that I am always drawn too. Life is not always perfect but our guide does seem to see good in the ugly. He continued "Our country is very beautiful, it is the politicians that are corrupt. Look at the rubbish that surrounds us, it is because governments are not putting up enough rubbish bins around. Money has been passed from the top to those that really needs it. Money passing through the hands of the corrupt only leaves little for those at the receiving end".
Coming to the entrance of the Taj Mahal, at the ticket counter, people were scrambling to get inline to start queuing. I knew that we were a little bit behind time but thank god our guide has a special path for foreigners which got us ahead of the queue. I hate cutting lines but somehow this was a real relief. It was starting to get hot and I don't intend to stand for 30 minutes in the queue. Speaking of which, knowing that security guards will be searching us through and our belongings just made me even more thankful about my decision to hire our guide. The magic was just starting to happen when we caught a glimpse of her white shining dome and...