Thursday, August 14, 2008
Pictures, Day at the Taj 4 of 8
Aren't the grounds at the Taj Mahal beautifully manicured? While we were there, we some some people cutting the grass with what looked like large pairs of scissors. We understood that no gas-fueled equipment is allowed within the grounds, in order to preserve the Taj Mahal from pollution-induced damage. Even gas-fueled vehicles weren't allowed within a certain distance of the Taj Mahal, thus the pedi-cabs (bicycle-powered), horse-drawn carriages, and electric-powered auto-rickshaws were the most popular mode of transportation in the section of Agra where we were staying (very close to the Taj Mahal).
Back in regular clothes, Heidi sports the fancy shower-cap shoe-covers we were required to wear if we didn't remove our shoes within the actual Taj Mahal building (shoes were alright to wear around the grounds). Notice the incredible precious stones inlaid into beautiful designs-this is right outside of the only door that leads into the actual tomb itself.
A pretty young lady in front of some pretty flower-carvings.
This is the wall directly to the right when you come out of the inside of the tomb part of the Taj Mahal. We found that area to be very crowded with Indians (not many foreignors.) We took lots of pictures here because we liked the beautiful walls, and when we left this area, about half of the huge milling crowd left with us. Our family stood out so much there, that people would actually sit around to stare at us wherever we went, and even follow us around. What surprised us is that these people were at a world-famous monument, and they found a family from Kansas more interesting to look at than the incredible Taj Mahal.
Lily "smelling" a lily.
Pictures, Day at the Taj 3 of 8
As soon as we sat down to relax for a minute after our frantic rush into the Taj grounds, people started gathering around the Western children in Indian dress, and asked for pictures with them. And asked, and asked, and asked. No kidding--I believe that over 100 people asked to take pictures with our children over the course of the 3 hours we were at the Taj Mahal. 
Another lady who asked for a picture with our girls. Isn't her blue sari pretty?
Both men and women asked to pose with our family. I wonder if this picture is sitting in an Indian family's photo album now, and what they're saying about us?
Isn't she adorable? 
Our girls found this bird to be one of the most interesting parts of our Taj Mahal visit. It WAS a very different-looking bird, and we stood and watched it for at least 15 minutes (partly because that enabled us to stay in the shade on this blasting hot day).
Pictures, Day at the Taj 2 of 8
The same man who volunteered to take our picture on the bench sent his family to take a photo with us. He had a large family!
I'm telling you--we took about 100 pictures during the 2-3 hours we were at the Taj.
Isn't this a fun picture? Byron saw this pose in the photograph-vendor's portfolio. (Yes, this was the only vendor allowed inside the Taj Mahal grounds, but boy, was he persistent. We refused his services, as we were so tired of having to pay someone everytime we turned around, it seemed. But we did use his clever photograph idea.). 
The second child touching the top tier of the Taj Mahal.
The third child giving a "ta-da!" pose in front of the famous Taj Mahal.Pictures, Day at the Taj 1 of 8
Running late to our appointment to meet Dad at the Taj, we decided to treat ourselves to a pedi-cab ride from our hotel to the Taj entrance. We rode all of a tenth of a mile, but the girls thoroughly enjoyed their first pedi-cab experience. 
Is this just incredible? We couldn't stop taking pictures. 
When you enter through the security gate, you walk in a few paces and turn around to see what the entrance gate looked like. Even the entrance gate to the Taj Mahal is incredible. The Taj Mahal is one of place we saw perfectly manicured lawns and bushes in India. 
The famous bench where everyone in the world who visits the Taj has their photo taken. Aren't the girls lovely in their Indian clothes? Each of them wore their favorite chudy-da, complete with bangles and braids. 
The Burke clan, with Grandfafa, at the Taj Mahal.
A picture we weren't quite ready for--I'm not sure what Dad is doing, but the photographer caught me at the very moment I'm hissing at the girls through a clenched teeth smile, "I know the sun is right in our eyes. But stop complaining and squinting and smile at the camera RIGHT NOW!!!!" What you can't see is the line 50-people deep waiting to have their photograph taken on this bench. We weren't at leisure to take a long photograph session here. Each family basically got a couple of photographs and had to move out for the next group.
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