The Taj Mahal followed by Fond Farewells

Wednesday morning we left our rooms at the YWCA in the wee hours of the morning to catch the train from Delhi to Agra, where we paid tribute to one of the most famous places on Earth.  I’ll let you do your own research on the Taj Mahal.

Afterward, we headed for Agra Fort.

Next, we visited a small marble shop where direct descendants of those who built the original Taj Mahal continue the practice of creating beautiful marble works of art.  The wares are expensive, but exquisite.

Our last stop in Agra was to a cafe/hang-out spot that is run by survivors of Acid-burnings.  Acid-burning is a horribly-disfiguring form of retribution that too many suffer (mostly women) at the hands of those who feel slighted after a refused advance, a women who only bears male children, and a number of other excuses.  It is definitely illegal, but the offenders had been rarely held accountable.  There is a movement that gets these women to legal representation and financial help for the massive medical needs they need in order to move on in their lives.

Before sending our first group of students to the airport, we celebrated with a nice dinner out in Delhi.  We’re really going to miss these extraordinary young adults.