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The streets of India are filled with
bicycles, scooters, animal-drawn carts, tractors, pedestrians,
and countless auto rickshaws that are often carrying as many as 12 or 15 passengers, all competing
chaotically with cars and trucks to make their way. The scenes along the sides of the road provide
views of the people of India as they live, eat, and work, as well as of cows, monkeys, and other animals. Tangles
of hanging electrical wiring are common and, newly added since the Mumbai massacre, there are soldiers
in sandbag bunkers.
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The Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort are located in Agra, a few hours
drive south of Delhi. The Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan, is truly magnificent, whether viewed from a distance
as a complete structure or up close looking at its beautiful semiprecious stone inlays and
carved marble. It is hidden from view as you first approach it by a building that serves as the entrance
gate to the garden in which it and its associated mosque are located. Across town is the Agra Fort,
built by Akbar in the 16th century.
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A prolific builder, Shah Jahan constructed the Red Fort
in what is now called Old Delhi. It contains a number of well preserved buildings including
the pavilion for public imperial audiences containing his throne.
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Other sites in Delhi are the Jama Masjid Mosque, the Bahai House
of Worship, a monument to Ghandi and his cremation site, ancient ruins, the
president's residence, and Humayun's Tomb. We also visited a Sikh Temple,
including their kitchen where we were told they feed 100,000 people per day.
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