Agra bound.

This past week the two other volunteers (Amanda and Liza) and I ventured out on our own on a journey to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. We took an eleven-hour train ride to Agra from Dehradun, where we stayed with some contacts of mine. They were amazing hosts, if not extremely entertaining—Brahman status and proud of their heritage. They were master craftsman on the Taj Mahal, a trade that you have to be born into; therefore, their family has been doing the precious stone inlay for generations, which can be seen on every corner of the Taj and baby Taj.

(Taj Mahal inlay.)

(Baby Taj)

We were able to tour the workshop where they practice their trade. It has been the same process for 400 years. The apprentices have no fingerprints because they are ground away by the sanding wheel.

Now the master craftsmen continue with renovation on the Taj Mahal as well as create tables and other artifacts for VIP's.

The grandfather of the household took charge of our itinerary, which was fine with use. He came right out and said, “tomorrow morning you will walk to the Taj at a quarter to six. Be back by 9am and then you will have breakfast. Take a small rest and I will give you more instructions then.” Okay. That is what we did. And it was the best time to go. The morning light was perfect and the heat wasn’t so unbearable. The crowds were less chaotic at 6am.