Aug 11 2007

On Thursday night I went down to the concierge at the Agra Sheraton and asked them about getting across the Yamuna River to shoot the Taj Mahal from the other shore. I've seen some shots and thought it would be a tremendous opportunity to shoot the Taj Mahal while I was here in Agra. When talking to the concierge he about had a heart attack. No no no sir...it is not safe, please do not go there. Well, I love to take pictures, I'm a photographer, I throw out there for shits and giggles. Oh, well sir, why didn't you say so, let's talk with the other concierge, he should be able to get you access to a special area of the Taj Mahal.

Wow, I think, that's fantastic, especially since it will be a Friday and there is nobody at the Taj Mahal. So, after dinner and the world's largest piece of Naan bread I meet up with the other concierge who tells me that he knows the perfect spot and can help me get there...THE SAME FRIGGEN SPOT I WAS TALKING ABOUT!

Alright, well, now I know they can help me get there. The only problem being I feel like crap. All this going between heat/humidity to ice cold AC hotels...adding in some massive pollution in Agra equals big time head cold. So, I figure I'd sleep on it. After walking I'm not awful, but not a whole lot better. I'm here for two more weeks, I really should just take it easy. But after an hour I think, come on, you may never get back here, what's a few days of being run down. So I hire a car, Dablu (my brother in law's father) decides to join me and we take an adventurous 45 minute (to go about 7 miles!) car ride to the shores of the Yamuna. Instantly I know, this is the right choice. Stunning vista of the Taj Mahal, beautiful backdrop of clouds, and some amazing reflections in the water.

It was just an amazing site, one of those moments you know instantly you will always remember. We were also joined by some very pleasant local kids who while begging for money quickly realized we weren't going for it. Seeing as we were the only people there they decided to hang out and chatted us up for 20 minutes or so. Bizarre...the kid new more about the bridge in Minneapolis than I did!

This shot is of the Taj Mahal and one of the side temples with corresponding reflections in the Yamuna River.

Oh, and on the rock star front. Later in the day we are back in the hotel and the concierge sheepishly asks my brother-in-law...would I be willing to pose in a picture with one of their employees. Apparently they thought I would be the perfect addition to their yearly employee meeting. Just too surreal. So, I ask him, what the hell is this. According to him, I'm just downright adorable and very stylish. Keep in mind, at this point I've been in the sun all day, am drenched in sweat, and probably smell like something the cat druge in. But hey, I agree to pose in return for some aprons we say at a great restaurant the night before. Apparently I'm not a good negotiator because he instantly agreed and then commented that they would have comped me a helluva lot more. Oh well, i'm sure none of it was earth shattering...just so bizarre. So, now I'm thinking maybe I should go by the name Mr. Addorable!

Hope everyone has a great weekend

Agra, India
August 2007