agra...the Taj Mahal

We woke up incredibly early this morning to catch a trin to Agra, where the famous Taj Mahal is. Unfortunately, as seems to be the case everyday in delhi in winter, the fog was so thick that the train was about 5 hours late. a good chance to get to know old delhi train station, which namely for the toilets/ hole in the corner of a small room, is a place you should not put on your to do list for that long.
we were in 1st class seating for the train trip which was suprisingly ok. except the self important man next to me hadn't worked out how to us his phone without the speaker phone on, and so shared each of his 25 conversations with the carriage, including being on hold for 15 mins to the train company we were travelling with.
our hotel though a little basic was in walking distance of the taj, so we wandered down at about 3pm to walk through the amazing gardens, and gates and the Taj Mahal itself. It is one of those places you expect might be a bit of a let down because of hype, but it was honestly quite amazing. even the surronding gates and walls were amazing. everthing was in symmetry! the were thousands and thousands of people there, but it was well worth the waiting in line to see such a fantastic building. which we were later informed is not actually made of marble completely and is actually red blocks faced with marble...gosh! what a national coverup!.

History of the Taj (Crown) Mahal (Palace): built by Mughal Emporer Shan Jahan for his third (and favourite) wife Mumtaz after she died giving birth to his 14th child. she is intombed inside with his along side.

Before dinner we fit in a visit to the handmade carpet factory. Apparently the taj was going a bit funny coloured from the smog, so industry within 45km was banned around the taj, and the government started this handmade carpet industry to support local industry and women in agra villages. the carpets were amazing, with each and every strand in the carpet being hand tied. they were done in lots of different traditional patterns and qualities. and all with aussie and NZer wool! they are trimmed back and washed by hand at the factory. and new designs are also given out to the women who make them. (who upon clompleting their carpet making training are given a loom to take home.)
if i had a house i would have been tempted to buy one! they were great. so i am now your friendly handmade carpet expert!