Morning Mists of Agra

From the pages of my moleskin....

As I sit this morning, listening to the peacocks howl, I see the outlines of the Taj Mahal through the misty rain.  Sipping my cup of tea, I'm reminded of the scale, elegance, beauty, and ingenuity of the monuments I saw yesterday.

No words or pictures can ever adequately describe the Taj Mahal.  The simplicity of the white marble combined with the intricate inlays and filigree are astonishing.  As an expression of the love for a partner, it is truly awe inspiring.  I am sad that his son was not as romantic since he killed 12 of his 13 siblings to ensure his father did not build the black Taj and bankrupt the dynasty.  I think the saddest part of the whole story is that he imprisoned his father in the Agra fort where he died looking out at the Taj Mahal he built to show his undying love for his wife.  His surviving daughter who was caring for him buried him next to his wife before her brother could return from a war campaign and prevent it.  His burial here is the only thing that upsets the symmetry of the entire design.  No matter which way you view the Taj Mahal, it is perfectly symmetrical even to the mosques on either side.  Only one was originally built, but he felt an additional one was required to preserve the beauty of his wife's heaven on earth.  Again, absolutely sheer elegance and grace, mesmerizing beauty and form.

           

The Agra fort is incredibly complex and gargantuan.  No other word can describe the massive size of this structure.   We visited it in the teaming downpours of the afternoon monsoon rains.  It was a perfect time to visit to see some of the defenses designed into the fort in action and see the once again amazing drainage and water storage and distribution systems working.  I have never seen any building constructed on the scale of the fort.  It was a fort, palace, and a city all contained within the walls.  I believe the population was around 30,000 or so when it was built.  The moat is very large, the walls are many meters thick (you can have a soccer field on top of them), and go on for several kilometers.  Another impressive world heritage site.

Listening to the multitude of birds and sounds outside, I am reminded of my time in Brisbane.  It is that same sound of the jungle life and birds calling through the trees.

I am still overwhelmed and astonished that I am here and in such luxurious surroundings.  Truly thankful and on those days during school when it gets rough, I will look back and find the peace I have right now.  Being a teacher is rough sometimes, but right now is not one of those times.  How many other science teachers are drinking tea and watching birds fly in front of the Taj Mahal from their balcony?

I didn't get to see the moon over the Taj Mahal or a sunset over it because of the rains, but I like to think that is something special I can share with Bueno when we get here together one year.

Hollie, no cockatoos eating off of me, just birds flying across the balcony and peacocks howling in the gardens below.  I guess that's okay.

I feel at peace and in touch with myself.  I have found an inner balance again and realize that we can create beautiful and amazing things int he world.  Little or big, sometimes it is just the simplicity of the design that is all that is needed to express our love, desires, and hopes.  Life can take many turns, so we need to stop and reflect every few days to find that balance and strength that comes from within, but is also derived from those we love around us.  The Taj Mahal is the most expressive sign of love and commitment, but I want to make sure that I show that to my loved ones before they are gone.  Much as I like to think that Shah Jahan did.

The clopping of horse hooves over the calls of the multitude of birds signals time for more tea and a few moments of reflection.