Taj Mahal

No matter how many times we have seen it in pictures, nothing compares to seeing the world’s ultimate tribute to love in person. Fifth in line at the gate at 6:30 a.m. yesterday, we entered a large courtyard with other “early birds” as the sun rose. Through the doorway of a red sandstone gateway we had our first glimpse of the Taj Mahal – initially a grey blue color in the early morning light, it was enough to give me goose bumps. Within minutes as we admired the incredible view, the sun rose higher and the Taj took on a warm glow as breathtaking shadows cast their way across the marble walkways, shining like ice. Although a few hundred others shared the moment with us, there was a serenity to the place that cannot be described…the Yamuna River on the North side was a mystical site with fog slowly lifting off its surface as a lone fisherman peacefully drifted by; even the birds who soared over the central dome in perfect patterns added to the poetry. By 9 a.m. we were leaving, marveling at the beauty we had just witnessed as thousands more tourists started appearing – as far as we were concerned though, we had caught the best part of the day!