India: Part 13 - Agra Rugs

After the top attraction in Agra, we stopped at a rug shop. Rugs have been made in this area for centuries, but I think it kinda died off at one point. The industry has been revived in more recent decades, and it employs a lot of women in surrounding villages.

We got to see some examples of weaving and how the rugs are prepared.

Patterns and materials are sent to the women who make them.

Weaving on a large loom.

Then the rugs are looked over for imperfections. Some of those can be corrected.



Then the rugs are washed and dried. I'm always scared of mine getting wet, but apparently it's not a problem.

Mark in our group gave it a try.

After wash and dry, the rugs get raked and trimmed by hand.

Ready for sale! I very purposefully left my wallet in our bus (with the driver, locked up) because I knew if I took it in I would immediately buy a rug. I love them. 

Well, guess what? I loved all the rugs and felt like they were a great deal, plus it was shipping included back to the USA, so I went to find the driver, got my wallet, and bought this little beauty. My only regret is that I didn't get a larger one. I'll just have to go back. Or have Parik pick one up for me next time he takes a tour on this route.

So many gorgeous rugs. I think three or four in the group bought one.

I loved this pink-y colored one, but they didn't have anything like it in the size I wanted.

This rug is a $17k rug from silk. So detailed.

I love how rugs change colors depending on the angle.

Wish I could take them all.

Now back to Delhi for the end. We stopped at a rest stop for fast food. They had a Pizza Hut but it just has really weird flavors and not even a basic cheese.

Bye van, thanks for the ride!

We had our final dinner back at the hotel where we said goodbye to each other and our awesome guide! Definitely recommend an Intrepid Tour, especially with Parikshit.

Next up - a little more Delhi and then on to Hyderabad!

India: Part 12 - The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal! The Crown Jewel! A Wonder of the World! You've seen tons of photos already, but I'll show you more.

Our tour itinerary initially had us slated to visit the Taj the day before in the afternoon, but we voted that we wanted to see it in the morning and try for some less crowded photos instead. So we swapped Agra Fort for the afternoon and woke up at 4:30am to be in line by 5am to get in at 6am when it opens. Thankfully hot tea can keep you warm while you wait in the dark.

We had 15 minutes or so for photos after we rushed in, then we spent some time with our guide to learn a few things, and then we had a couple hours on our own to wander around.

Being there in the dark fog was pretty magical. And yes, there were plenty of other people there, too, but it definitely got much more crowded later. Go early!

I was very comfy and warm-ish in my hoodie and sneakers. But those Instagrammers who came in here with sundresses and full makeup, whoa.

You get a bottle of water with your entrance fee, FYI.

I'm sure you know the story about why this was built. If you don't, go Google that. But short story, Shah Jahan, who was imprisoned over at the fort across the way, built this for the tomb of his favorite wife. He's buried in here, too. The entire complex is totally symmetrical, with the Taj Mahal in the center and two buildings on each side, one is a mosque. The only thing not symmetrical is inside the tombs, where each of them are buried. Slightly different shapes and sizes of tombs, and you can't take photos inside of that part.

It started to get really foggy as I walked around the back of the complex.

Enjoy the rest of my meandering.

Looking from the Taj Mahal back to the entrance.

I'm dark, but I'm in this.

Watch that fog roll in.

I thought it was pretty cool. But I will say this at the risk of an unpopular opinion - the Taj Mahal is certainly beautiful, but it didn't blow me away like I expected it to. Since I visited it towards the end of my trip, I'd already seen SO MANY incredible places that this just was another one of them.  I probably liked other palaces and temples more than this. If you're going to India to see the Taj, cool, but please consider getting to other spots not in the Golden Triangle, because it's all really amazing!

Way more people on the platform later.

One of the guides walking around insisted I take a photo with the Taj Mahal reflection in my glasses. Is it the coolest photo ever?

They also have photographers you can hire for a photo shoot around the complex, so you get that perfect shot. Or the one of you pinching the top of the dome so it looks like you're holding it up. I figured I'd be okay without that.

Almost time to leave!

See ya next time, Taj Mahal. That's me, Susan, Mel, Ona, Cassie, Mark and Angela.