Taj at the Taj

My mom and I had a challenging time traveling to Agra. Our journey consisted of an overnight taxi ride, a flight, a long wait in the Delhi train station, A freezing and even longer train ride, a car accident and finally a rickshaw ride with a driver who actually managed to drop us off at our hotel. After 2 full nights and one long day of traveling, we were finally able to sleep in a very comfortable hotel bed.

My name is Melanie Taj. My mother visited the Taj Mahal 39 years ago and while there, she decided she wanted to name a child after it. Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal and I am so excited to be here with my Mom. We planned our trip around the full moon because we wanted to see the Taj lit up by the moonlight like my mom had seen. Although the fog made this impossible, the Taj Mahal was absolutely breathtaking.

Linda and I had such a special time in Agra and I realized that it is so much more than just the Taj. We had fun exploring the different neighborhoods, meeting different people and eating and drinking delicious foods and drinks. I think one of our favorite things we did was getting lost in one of the neighborhoods at dinnertime. It was such a busy time and it was fun watching all the people go about their evening activities. People were also very curious about us and excited to talk to us.

It was hard to see my mom go but after a tearful goodbye, we parted ways. I am so grateful for the time we got to spend together in India.