India.

Traveling out of Delhi we move in a stream of traffic. Our speed is slower than others on the road because there are new legislated speed limits for passenger buses and trucks, so we are passed by a ribbon of bikes and tuk tuks, hand on horn and a speed way attitude. Our driver is practiced at not coming to a screaming halt as a motor bike overtakes us and seemingly pulls in far too sharp, Well I’m putting my foot on the brake from the seat behind him. I’ll keep us safe.

Like most large cities the sides of the roads are decorated with advertising, but even that is interesting, because now and then there is a huge picture of an elephants and I  even saw  a sign with a heard of water buffaloes that appearing fleetingly as we passed.

The road signs are in English and Hindi and the advertising is all in English making this part of this trip to Agra  a normal city departure.

We are stared at by the locals in their buses, they drive with windows open, arms extended to catch the breeze and on one bust the drivers door flapped alarmingly, as he drove past flapping the door in the breeze as he went,

City gives way to country, fields green from recent rains, corn,  Millet and a little rice.  And every now and then you see a small hut. The area is known for its brick kilns. and the tall chimneys pierce the sky. The crops are green and ready to harvest but its a little hard to see due to the barriers on the highway.

It’s about 3 hours to Agra from Delhi and it gave us time to bus relax in a way. I personally am not a fan of busses, but they are a necessary form of transport.

Late afternoon the skies were heavy with rain but I relished the thought of being able to take a photo of the Taj Mahal in such a different light.

We were in the centre of a long weekend and so the crowds were increased, I’ve never seen so many people visiting. But that’s what it is… lets do it and so with thousands and thousands of brightly coloured clothed people we went to see the Icon of India.

And what an adventure it was. The light played on the buildings as the rain came and went. There were so many people there that it was hard to find a space for yourself.

But it was most enjoyable and most exhausting.