The drive to Agra from Delhi used to be extremely busy filled with colorful Lorries (trucks) & very, heavy, congested traffic. The half way rest stop even featured a man with a dancing bear.

Now the road is a 4-6 lane toll road. The only thing that has stayed the same since 2005 are the buses & trucks with their unique horns that sound like a carnival ride. No rest stop with a dancing bear.

The drive might be less eventful and colorful; but, it is 100x safer. In 2005, from time to time when passing trucks, our driver would maneuver our car’s hood under the trucks reminding us know that our safety was more in the hands of Indian Gods & plain old-fashioned luck rather than his good driving.

The Taj Mahal is still beautiful. Our guide told us she has been doing daily tours there since 1995. With more than 5,000 visits, she still loves to visit it.

We learned from our guide that craftsmen who built the Taj did not have their hands cut off or their eyes gouged out so as never to create anything as or more beautiful. Rather they were given homes, land, & a pension if they promised never to build another structure this beautiful. Kind of like the first “non-compete” clause in history. Those craftsmen decedents still own the property today.

Funny story, our guide told us I haven’t changed much from our 2005 photo at the Taj; but, she said my husband looks totally different. 😂🤣

The Taj Mahal gets more beautiful the closer you approach it being able to see beautiful carvings inlaid with semi-precious stones such as jade, lapis lazuli, & turquoise.

We also visited Agra’s Red Fort which was the palace for the Mughal Dynasty in the 16th Century and where Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, was incarcerated by his son forced to live the last 8 years of his life in it. Quite a gilded bird cage indeed.

I continue to experience people wanting to take my picture. It happened once at the Red Fort, at the Taj Mahal, and in our hotel’s restaurant. I’ve looked around and this only happens to me. I’m usually approached by the husband in the family, then by their wives.

On my last 2 trips to India I was told I looked like a Bollywood movie star. Hmmm, not sure, but it makes for a fun experience. 🤩

The last time my husband and I were in India together was 2005. I visited India again with a girlfriend in 2011. I am happy to report that things seem to be improving in India. The streets are cleaner & there are much fewer beggars. However, thankfully everything that makes India wonderful is still here.

I always say that India awakens all 5 senses. It’s visually stunning with so many colors. It’s like walking in a moving kaleidoscope. The air is filled with smells from flowers, incense, & spices. People watching is at a premium accompanied by constantly honking horns & beating drums. Visiting temples requires you to go barefooted awakening your sense of touch. It’s nice to know this has not changed.

On our first day we visited old places located in New Delhi.

On the second day we visited Old Delhi. We enjoyed walking through the bazaar and watching the local people prepare for their main national holiday Diwali.

Diwali is the “Festival of Light” & lasts for 5 days.

Beautiful wedding dresses.

Nothing like a ride through chaos.

Memorial to Gandhi.

I also became extremely popular with some local school children. This must be how celebrities feel.

At the end of our 2nd day, we enjoyed some cardamom & almond tea with our lovely guide Ruby.