Incredible India!

Day #1
The train was delayed and foggy weather stopped the train from going faster. We spent the whole day on the train and when we finally arrived in Agra It was late enough to eat dinner. We went to the Tajganj, which encircles the area around the famous Taj Mahal. There were many guest houses in the area and all of them were within walking distance of the Taj Mahal. We checked in a guesthouse near the west entrance of the Taj Mahal.

Day #2
We hit the road before the sunrise. All of that was for watching the sunrise over the Taj Mahal in a peaceful moment and not being interrupted by the other tourists. Entry ticket coasted Rs. 750(18,660 KRW). It’s very expensive considering that the room charged Rs. 300 per day. the weather was still foggy. We couldn’t even see a clear view of the Taj Mahal till noon. When finally Taj Mahal exposed its figure it was too crowded with visitors.

Shah Jahan who made this structure would be embarrassed by the site. He create this place in loving memory of his dead wife, not for tourists making noise in front of the place where they supposed to rest in peace! Agra fort was near there. This was the place that Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, where he watched Taj Mahal missing his wife utill the last day of his life. The last destination was Itmad-Ud-Daula. Some people call it ‘The Baby Taj.’ Comparing the sizes of them this name fits right. But considering that the Taj Mahal was built after Itmad-Ud-Daula this name seems unsuitable. I wished to have enough time to look around all the places more carefully. To save money while traveling in India, it’s a good idea to visit three of the places in just a day. But hurrying from one place to another place you may miss important and delicate details about these places.

There had been ups and downs in the travel. Some things made me really sick, but after everything was said and done. I came to feel affection for this country. I met many people in India who was genuine and had a pure soul in their hearts and minds. I envy their rich cultural remains. And as much as I’m happy for their fast development in these days, I hope they don’t change too much fast before I visit India again.

All photos pictured by Jeong Yu-bin
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