Agra

Ah, the joys of travel. Specifically, the joys of traveling like this--an early morning rail station where you don't speak the language and you have no idea what's going on. If it weren't for our coolie (have I mentioned that you need to tip these guys well because without them you will end up in a place you never wanted to go and can't get back from?), we'd still be lost, likely someplace north of Tajikistan.














This is actually quite common, and not frowned upon.














Typical platform scene.


















This dude was my favorite.



























Lots of local scenery available from the rail car--as long as you stand between cars to get a good shot. All the trains have bars on the windows, which I guess prevents stowaways from getting in and prevents passengers from getting out in the event of an emergency.

Okay, so why are we doing this, and what's here? Well, there's this:
































































































So we're walking around all of this, barefoot, on cold, slippery marble, when the thunder peals and the sky opens up. But when the sun comes out it's a whole new day. This might be my favorite shot of all.



























There's this other, older monument affectionately called the Baby Taj. Relatively free of visitors, its proportions and styling are more approachable and, to my eye, more pleasing.















































































Then there's this: Fetahpur Sikri, the Ghost City. Occupied for only fourteen years during Akbar's reign, it's a truly stunning piece of architecture. Sure, it's a drive, but it's unlike anything else you've ever seen.









































































































Monkeys! Everywhere!