Agra: In the Shadow of the Taj Mahal

After the vibrant chaos of New Delhi, we made our way to Agra—and though we’d seen it in photos a thousand times, nothing quite prepared us for the moment we first laid eyes on the Taj Mahal.

It was just after sunrise. The air was soft, hazy with the promise of heat to come. And there it stood—the Taj, impossibly white, perfectly symmetrical, and heartbreakingly beautiful. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, it’s not just a monument—it’s a love letter in stone. And standing beside Marc, holding his hand, I felt the weight of that love across centuries.

We explored the Agra Fort, another architectural wonder, and wandered through its vast courtyards where Mughal emperors once ruled. The walls echoed with history, and from its balconies, you could even see the Taj in the distance—a reminder of the empire’s grandeur and heartbreak.

Agra was intense and intimate all at once. The streets were bustling, the food rich and bold, and yet in between it all were moments of quiet reflection. The kind where you realize you’re not just seeing the world—you’re being shaped by it.