Our red-turbaned driver manoevered skillfully through the dense traffic and dropped us off safely at the Taj Mahal. There was merely one last obstacle before arriving at the gates to the world’s most famous tomb: We had to walk along a pedestrian path packed with souvenir stands and aggressive street vendors! We had been warned of possible assaults but we figured as long as we hold on tight to our belongings everything would be alright. Once we arrived at the gate we had to stand in line for security check, and, as it is common practice in India, men and women lined up separately. I was rid of my makeup (second time during this trip!) and guide book - no books allowed in the Taj Mahal, strange rule indeed. They had to stay in a locker while I was admiring the palacelike tomb. And then we saw it, the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven World Wonders, a marvelous 17th-century-structure made of white marble. Smaller than expected, its fine architecture is nevertheless impressive. The interior, however, where the graves are located, is dark with no electric lighting and hence not much of a sight. The perfect thing to do would be to stroll around in the adjacent park, sit down on one of the benches and read a book … if only books were allowed! In any case, it was an experience and one of those “been there, done that” things. Note1: If you hire a driver make sure from the very beginning that you don’t want to stop at one of the extremely overpriced, extremely touristic restaurants. Unless you want to spend a lot of money for a less than mediocre meal, bring your own lunch or make the driver stop at a restaurant recommended by a local or guidebook. (Some guidebooks will include the touristic stuff, but I find Lonely Planet quite useful) Note2: The driver will also try to stop at souvenir shops in or near Agra. The prices are inflated and I recommend you not to enter, rather to look for something you like in Delhi where it’s a lot cheaper.
札幌の英語の先生、札幌のスペイン語の先生、札幌英語先生、札幌スペイン語先生、英語のブログ、BLOG、会話、英語英会話、札幌の先生、札幌先生、英語の語学スクール、スペイン語の語学スクール、札幌英会話、英会話、English teacher in Sapporo, maestra de español。
Here’s one of the few soup curry restaurants in the Odori area. The restaurant/bar has quite a few features that distinguish it from the often South-East-Asian themed eateries. First of all, the choices of soup are Indian, Japanese or Sapporo soup curry style (I had the latter of course, lol). Levels of spiciness are 1 (mild), 2 (regular) and 3 (spicy). I picked level 3, it wasn’t spicy at all. The lunch menu is extensive and it even includes beef curry - good news for fans of traditional Japanese seasoning. The crowd consists of mostly businessmen in dark suits which fits the atmosphere: dark wood, discreet instrumental music and a well-stocked bar. I’d say this is the perfect place for thirty- and fortysomethings who like their curry soup with a Japanese touch. Spice Bar Tara, South 1, West 4. Phone o11-219 21 44.
