A blurry week in Delhi

Haven’t had much access to internet, (still don’t – I’m writing this in Delhi Airport with the intention of posting it tomorrow when I land in London!) and the weather has been overcast, bit cold and raining the whole time, but I’ve had Patrick to snuggle up to. We went to the Taj Mahal yesterday, got up early and drove to Agra (hired a driver, we didn’t drive) to see it in all its magnificence.

I didn’t have any expectations, because things are so often hyped up. But WOW.

Photos can’t do it justice.

Our tour guide was great, though we aren’t sure how much is true and how much isn’t. I loved the intricate details, while Patrick loved it’s size and structure.

  

Above from left: Where the craftspeople used to live and work – 20,000 workers built the Taj Mahal; Front entrance house; Ceiling detail of front entrance; me and Patrick inside the entrance.

  

Above: My feet in the shoe covers to protect the marble (no Slum Dog Millionaire kids stealing OUR shoes!); the building on the right side of the Mausoleum built to keep the symmetry that the whole place has, replicating the mosque to the left hand side; wall of the Taj Mahal; detailing on the walls – this is one piece of carved marble and the edging is inset stones such as lapis lazulis, mother of pearl and malachite. Below: The detailing to the entrance of the mausoleum – you can read Qu’ran verses inscribed in black onyx all the way around; Patrick; the roof of the Taj Mahal where you can see the hooks put in so that a black cover could be put on in the war to stop it from being bombed.

   

The day before Patrick and I had wandered around Delhi getting our comfort levels up. Patrick has been under the weather, appetite and sleep wise, and we didn’t really do as much siteseeing as we’d’ve liked, but we visited the Lakshmi…… Temple in New Delhi that was probably one of my favourite places to visit. It was very quiet, not very busy, and had lots of interesting paintings and words from the Veda all around.

After there we had a wander around Janpath and Connaught Place which was kinda interesting. We got hassled a lot by hawkers, but it was fun.

Now I’m flying out at 3.30am and I’ve just said goodbye to Patrick who is off on his adventures for the next 6 months in India and maybe Nepal. Here’s an ode to Patrick, the love of my last two years, who has put up with all my ways! Thanks babe, you’re freaking awesome. The last two years have been a blast, take care and look after yourself out there! Also, thanks for running off before I had time to blink and say good bye!