We hired a specialist guide for the Taj Mahal also. He took us around pointing out the light at sunrise -- what of it there was through the clouds and smog. The place is stunning in person. Perfect symmetry and beautifully carved marble that changes with the changing light. After some time the guide says 'I leave you until 9:00 sharp to enjoy the peace of the Taj Mahal. Look at the guest house and the Mosque on the grounds if you wish, and take more photos. but sir, do not have anything to do with these people that claim to be guides. Avoid them.
After some time we wandered over to the guest house for the Taj. Immediately a short energetic man started pursuing me saying that he only wants to help. Now, I know I saw him at the gate checking us in, taking tickets etc. then he says Sir I am no guide I am security here I just want to show you best places. I say I have to catch up with my wife (Susan has made a succesful escape). He says sir, madame is right there and points he says I will watch for you sir now Come I show you the James Bond shot. We half run into the dark of the arches and he taps a place on the floor and says stand here and take the James Bond shot. The James Bond shot? Yes sir Octopussy, I was here I worked on the movie, I met James Bond. Sir I was the waiter in a red jacket and curled up mustache in the movie. Sir stand here sir take photo. So I do and he says no no no sir. No good! The Taj has bled out from the bright light. Sir reset your camera. And he has my camera as if by magic transported around his neck, and he is turning all the dials and is in the menu then takes a perfect James Bond shot. Then runs with my camera saying come sir.
I suddenly realize that The roles have now reversed he is charging around snapping photos and I am chasing him. He sees my eyes dart out into the crowd looking for Susan. Sir madame is right there all is OK sir I watch. He sees me fail to find her and he is next to me pointing a boney finger right at her in the middle of the crowd! Now sir come!
After a dozen perfect photos and even with both of us posing for him he is done and gives me yet another patient lesson in my camera settings. Use this setting sir for these conditions but at the Red Fort you must use this setting. Well why don't you come to the red fort and do the photos? Sir, I have already told you I am no guide and he puffs up proudly and says I am Security at the Taj Mahal Sir, just as I told you.
Then he waits for money, I have weighed the values of the photos and the camera lessons and have a 100 and a 500 in my pocket. I go for the 100. His eyes are deeply hurt, but sir such perfect photos .. Your and madame's happy memories sir must be worth more sir. So sufficiently shamed out comes the 500! He is happy with the prayer hands and the bowing he turns and disappears stalking more tourist. Soon I see three people chasing the camera bedecked little fellow around the place but I also hear ooos and ahhs as he shows them the first photo. They are also gonners and he has more than one of their cameras!
Great fun at the Taj Mahal. Beautiful stunning place and great camera services! And yes the peace of the Taj Mahal as we chased that little guy around the place!
A few photos with the Delhi smog apparent in the photos.
Darryl & Susan
After some time we wandered over to the guest house for the Taj. Immediately a short energetic man started pursuing me saying that he only wants to help. Now, I know I saw him at the gate checking us in, taking tickets etc. then he says Sir I am no guide I am security here I just want to show you best places. I say I have to catch up with my wife (Susan has made a succesful escape). He says sir, madame is right there and points he says I will watch for you sir now Come I show you the James Bond shot. We half run into the dark of the arches and he taps a place on the floor and says stand here and take the James Bond shot. The James Bond shot? Yes sir Octopussy, I was here I worked on the movie, I met James Bond. Sir I was the waiter in a red jacket and curled up mustache in the movie. Sir stand here sir take photo. So I do and he says no no no sir. No good! The Taj has bled out from the bright light. Sir reset your camera. And he has my camera as if by magic transported around his neck, and he is turning all the dials and is in the menu then takes a perfect James Bond shot. Then runs with my camera saying come sir.
I suddenly realize that The roles have now reversed he is charging around snapping photos and I am chasing him. He sees my eyes dart out into the crowd looking for Susan. Sir madame is right there all is OK sir I watch. He sees me fail to find her and he is next to me pointing a boney finger right at her in the middle of the crowd! Now sir come!
After a dozen perfect photos and even with both of us posing for him he is done and gives me yet another patient lesson in my camera settings. Use this setting sir for these conditions but at the Red Fort you must use this setting. Well why don't you come to the red fort and do the photos? Sir, I have already told you I am no guide and he puffs up proudly and says I am Security at the Taj Mahal Sir, just as I told you.
Then he waits for money, I have weighed the values of the photos and the camera lessons and have a 100 and a 500 in my pocket. I go for the 100. His eyes are deeply hurt, but sir such perfect photos .. Your and madame's happy memories sir must be worth more sir. So sufficiently shamed out comes the 500! He is happy with the prayer hands and the bowing he turns and disappears stalking more tourist. Soon I see three people chasing the camera bedecked little fellow around the place but I also hear ooos and ahhs as he shows them the first photo. They are also gonners and he has more than one of their cameras!
Great fun at the Taj Mahal. Beautiful stunning place and great camera services! And yes the peace of the Taj Mahal as we chased that little guy around the place!
A few photos with the Delhi smog apparent in the photos.
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| View on the way through the entrance gate. |
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| From across the river |
Darryl & Susan
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