SOUTHEAST ASIA

Taj Mahal

I was quite concerned because my weather app predicted heavy rain by 5 AM the next morning. Anup was at my door at 5 AM, and I was nervous. Nearly the entire tour was outside, and our 18-hour drive was looking like a bust. The clouds loomed as we parked right at the entrance. Anup and I boarded one of those open shuttle buses, like the ones at Disneyland. I asked about Krishna, and Anup said he would wait in the car. As the wheels started turning, I said, “I guess Krishna has seen it before.” Anup responded, “No, he has not.” I expressed my disappointment and wanted to go get him, but we were well on our way, and there was no turning back. So much for India’s caste system. Krishna would likely never see one of the eight natural wonders of the world, and that’s a shame.

I immediately noticed that about one-third of the people on the shuttle were white, a higher ratio than I had seen since boarding the 777 at JFK. We paid the fee and entered the gate, where we were introduced to Jack, not his real name, but they cater to us white folks. The light was just getting strong enough to take pictures as the magnificent structure came into view.

Like a spectacular mountain range, photos cannot recreate the experience of being here. I no longer wondered why the Taj Mahal is among the seven wonders of the world; it exceeded my expectations. Having spent 37 years in the tile and stone industry, I found it breathtaking! Turns out, 400 years ago, Emperor Shah Jahan had 20,000 men build this mausoleum for his wife. Happy wife, happy life! Anup pointed out that the Muslim Shah was not overly heartbroken, as he had always had her sister on the side, waiting in the wings. By the end of my journey I learned that Indian Hindus, for the most part, are monogamous, while the Muslim men shoot for a harem.  As I went further east to BHUTAN, I learned that polygamy is also practiced, but in some cases, BUTANESE women had 2 or more husbands.

VID 17 Monkeys at the TAJ.

Then we went back to the car, where Krishna was waiting at the gate. As we got in the car, it began to drizzle, and within minutes, the rain came down in sheets. Karma, Anup and I agreed. We proceeded with our 9-hour drive back to Varanasi, heading directly to the airport, as my flight was at 6:40 the next morning. My driver and guide had a mini shrine on their dashboard he and Anup prayed to regularly. That must explain how we had gotten this far safely.  

I noticed that it was 6:05 PM, and India was scheduled to perform the world’s first moon landing on its South Pole, their Chandrayaan-3 mission. A few days before, Russia hoped to beat them, but their ship crashed. Tough luck Putin, we get what we deserve!.  Anup opened his news app and called out, “It landed!” Mission Accomplished for me and my Indian brothers! The rain stopped and so did we.  We had dinner near the Varanasi airport and had a final toast to India, their successful mission to the moon, and Krishna, “The Best Driver in All of India!” “

We found a hotel about a quarter-mile walk from the airport for about $60, which was fine and had pretty hot water. Anup and I planned to meet in my room to settle up. Their staff grabbed my duffel bag, and I approached Krishna to say goodbye. I gave him a hug, and he showed no emotion; his body turned cold and stiffened like a board. The caste system would prevail. Having someone from the top of the food chain treat him like a friend was not the protocol.

Anup and I sat in the room, and I let him figure out what I owed him. I had no idea what his fee was, even though I had asked a few times before arriving in India, and he had been vague. I found the cost to be very low and don’t even remember what it was. I paid with all the rupees I had left and dipped into my American cash to satisfy the fee, then gave him a bunch more. He appeared shocked at first, then gave me a hug and bowed with hands clasped, giving me his blessing. Following his cue, we blessed each other two more times before saying our final goodbyes.