Off the highway about a 20 minute drive is a village with a step well, an old temple and a school. We stopped at the school which Gate 1 Travel has helped build. Currently there are just over 380 students, 92 of them girls. We were able to hear the preschool kids recite their ABC’s and interact with some of
The nice thing about traveling by bus (besides the fact that it is air conditioned) is we get the opportunity to see the countryside and the people of this land. Mansi, our tour manager, is full of information. She will point things out and slow the bus if there is something to take a photo of. En route from Agra
All of our hotels have been very nice with fresh smelling sheets, clean bathrooms, and helpful staff. In Agra the Jaypee Palace was exceptional. As we walked in the building we were greeted with necklaces of marigolds. The staff is over the top friendly and helpful. The place is a huge complex with five restaurants. Anytime you might be lost
After seeing the Taj Mahal in all it’s great marble glory, the bus took us to a business that makes items out of marble. The current artisans are ninth generation marble decorators and we saw three of them at their work with hand tools, settling on the floor while our host explained the process. Next we were escorted into the
In every culture there are all sorts of non-verbal communications that happen. In Indian culture one non-verbal communication technique is the head shake. It is done by just slightly moving one side of your head towards your shoulder. It is a form of agreement.
The second part of our journey to Agra was by train. Upon hearing that the train was delayed, Mansi our tour manager, arranged for some drinks and a place to land for a few minutes instead of going directly to the station, which she described as loud, crowded and with not clean bathrooms. There is a ban on the sale
We left Khajuraho by bus for a long drive to Agra. We stopped in Orchha, a small village for lunch and wandering. The guidebook says “this historic village on the banks of the Betsy River showcases a display of Mughal architecture.” There are several sites (seven for a combined ticket, according to the guidebook) but we opted to spend an
The exquisite tomb of Mizoram Ghiyas Beg is nicknamed Baby Taj. Smaller, more intricate and delicate in its workmanship it was nearly empty when we visited. Although made out of all marble, the inside walls and the ceiling are beautiful in the symmetrical and detailed work. Seven people are buried here, some female (having a notebook or pad of paper
We started our day in the blinding sunshine at the Taj Mahal. It is a stunning site, shining in all of its whiteness, symmetrically pleaseing to the eye and larger than life. Gate 1 Travel hired a professional photographer. To accompany us and take photos of us, including a group photo, a complimentary copy coming to each of us. The
At every tourist stop there are street vendors selling everything from playing cards and purses, to bells and statues of Ghandi. They are relentless and do not take no for an answer. Mansi our tour manager has encouraged us to refuse their insistence until she can negotiate for us. Once back in the bus she will ask us what we