Taj Mahal and train to Varanasi

As Sara put it so eloquently this morning in the Taj Gardens… I’m so excited. Two teenage girls were skipping and twirling en route and they kind-of captured my mood. I took a pic of them to remind myself to live more in the moment. My silliness may encourage others to embrace their inner child too 🙂

So, it was early morning off to stand in line at the main entrance, ready when it opens. It was a captive fest for the swirling mosquitos. Not even they could dampen the mood.

That first moment with the early rays of the sun making the marble glow was more than expected. RR knew just from what angle to get the best pictures. We had pictures taken by a photographer – tourist poses. Then we put our shoe covers on and went into the jewel-box.

It is beautiful, with so much detail. However there are security guards with shrill whistles checking that nobody breaks the ‘cardinal rule – no photos inside’ and also blowing them to encourage the masses to keep moving. I know crowd control is a necessary evil, but cannot help sensing low lying irritation levels in that room, it lifts the minute you leave the main room and the other side areas are light and breezy. I think that THIS is what he had in mind when he first constructed the building. Currently that room is not a place of tranquility and rest. I would love to see if the feeling is different on a Friday when the complex is closed.

Other than that (which is probably all in my mind) I took more than a 100 photos, not counting cellphone pics – like the one attached and the pics taken by the photographer. Every step you move, the light and the picture changes.

We returned to the bus/car park after paying for the pictures we wanted – for me, only one. I also harassed the guide into “letting us stop to buy a junk fridge magnet ” from one of the many little shops that line the road. He was not at all keen with the concept, but I insisted, that is what tourists do… we buy junk from road vendors and keep the tourist trade alive. WTF ??? I payed for this tour and I want the whole nine yards, including the option to look at tourist trinkets without being judged. Buy a t-shirt, get a life!

After breakfast and check-out at the hotel and hit the road, new luggage in the bak of the van… as not to get spoiled on the roof by the sun. OK, if you insist *shrug*

I slept the most of this journey, but I remember many workers harvesting potatoes in soft sandy soil.

We had lunch in Delhi – very good food, eyes exceeding tummy capacity once again. Adam and the girls checked into the hotel and I checked my suitcase into storage. We also confirmed my future bookings for the next two weeks. Then I plugged in my mobile and Ipad to charge for tonight on the train. Ever on the go my American friends confirmed their plans for tonight and to tomorrow and asked the hotel to make the arrangements for transport.

Our tour representative met me at the hotel to hand over my tickets and paperwork for the next few days. Then it was time for hurried good byes as they were off to see a local show and I was off to see the reality show that is “The Indian Railway Experience”….

En route we stopped to buy my supper at a high-end Deli (PUN intended). I got a wholewheat smoked chicken and avo panini, diet coke and pistachio and cherry ice-cream. My young friend then played coolie (railway porter, seriously) and escorted me to my berth in the (upgraded for my safety as solo western female traveller) in 1st Class A/C coach.

I share a berth with a young mother, her two sons (5 yrs and baby) and her in-laws. The in-laws are from Varanasi and she and the kids will be visiting the weekend.

After supper we all made our beds and settled in for the night. I switched beds with the 70 yr old grandfather, the seating arrangements are done by hand – WHO in their right mind puts a man of that age on the TOP bed?? Other people’s children, ai ai ai.

Anyways all is quiet, mom is checking her cellphone and I’m playing catch-up with the blog. In case you are wondering, there are three western style bathrooms on this carriage and earlier tonight it was clean. Lights above the berth door indicate if they are occupied – similar concept to on the plane.

It is now 11:04pm and the train should arrive in Varanasi before 09:00 am. A representative should be waiting for me at the platform to take me to the hotel. Rest of the day free time and the night watching the candles/lights being floated as offerings.

This is my first sleeper train experience and so far, so good.

See you on the other side!