Last night I arrived in Agra after a 12-hour train journey from Varanasi. It was uneventful save for the Indian passengers who were convinced I was rich because I had a camera AND a mobile phone--And this was a middle-class Indian gentleman with 3 very well-dressed daughters--I don't think they understood that I got the phone "free"... Nevertheless, I think I will keep the phone tucked away on trips in the future as I do not wish to attract attention.
I found a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas!!! Yes, IN INDIA!!!) autorickshaw which took me to my hotel. I stayed at the Shanti Lodge. The rooms are pretty big and shabby, but definitely "good enough", and far better than MANY places I've stayed! The rooftop restaurant has a spectacular view of the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal reflected in the sunglasses of my friend Aurelie (Taj Mahal, Agra, India)

Looking up at the marble face of the TM from the eastern side, by the Jawab. The sky was just perfect (Taj Mahal, Agra, India)

My "The Taj Mahal" photo, from a low viewpoint in the gardens (Taj Mahal, Agra, India)

The Taj Mahal Riding Mower (If I had correctly exposed this camera, you'd see the dome of the TM above the trees). These two cows (they are cattle, right? :)) drag this two-wheeled "riding mower" with a man seated on top. He carries a whip with him and uses it to make the cattle turn when they reach the end of the row. (Taj Mahal, Agra, India)
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