Post #14: Pamela comes to Delhi - and to Agra.

Caroline's sister Pamela arrived at 1 AM from Italy with a suitcase chock-a-block with goodies -- a massive hunk of parmesan, olive oil from Casina Rosa, European chocolates, almond candies, porcini bullion cubes, vodka (so much better than Indian spirits!) and good pasta. Wow!

To ease into Delhi we started with the Mughal Gardens, part of the Presidential Estate and only open to the public 6 weeks a year.

Spring arrives in Delhi long before DC, Annapolis, NYC, Boston, Chicago, …..

Then off to Agra 200+ kilometers from Delhi

Looking down at the wild, weekly market in Fatehpur Sikri...

...and the colors of the Fatehpur Sikri marketplace seen up close. We drove through this market VERY slowly.

Fatehpur Sikri, the wonderful fort/palace built by Akbar the Great in 1569. The palace has three distinct areas, one for each of Akbar's three wives -- one Hindu, one Christian, and one Moslem. Plus lots of space for the harem.

Carved motifs were drawn from all three religions and combined

The Taj seen from a distance from Agra Fort.  Shajahan, who built the Taj and whose grandfather built much of Agra Fort, was imprisoned by his son at Agra Fort for the last 8 years of his life.. So much for filial loyalty. Shajahan looked out of his window over to the masterpiece he built as a mausoleum to the love of his life - his wife who bore him 14 children. The Taj is truly a magical, mystical, spiritual masterpiece - but to Indians, it is first and foremost a love story.

 Back in Delhi the market close by sells everything imaginable -- and in the evening Mehndiwallahs, working in pairs along the sidewalk, create their henna masterpieces. We couldn't talk Pamela into trying out the henna designs...

A COUPLE OF DETAILS BELOW FROM INDIA'S GREAT BUILDINGS:

Pamela's least favorite Delhi temple, built just a few years ago. This place is one part religion and four parts Disney. The giant stone elephant statues (see below) were pretty cool, however.  These two canned photos are not ours, since cameras are not allowed inside the temple complex.

Two of the 1000+ elephants that surround the temple.

 Originally Pamela was skeptical of our extended stay here and came with her guard up.  She left 6 days later feeling more at ease, already starting to overlook the garbage on the streets, the honking cars, and the drivers who come within inches of the vehicle in front of them and the dogs to the side. She became a pro at threading her way through ricks and bikes.  She also left without her Italian goodies but with a suitcase of Indian goodies -- spices, Indian coffee, textiles, etc. Through her eyes we saw Delhi as we did when we first arrived and could reflect on our transformation; we are starting to settle into our new life -- and our time here is already more han half over. Pamela's visit was a lot of fun and all too short!