Chand Baori is an anceint stepwell, descending deep into the earth via an intricate array of beautiful stairways. They form an optical illusion worthy of MC Escher. We stopped here quickly one afternoon between Jaipur and Agra to admire the astonishing architecture.
The frenetic energy of tourist spots in India is immediately overwhelming. People are offering items for sale of all kind and you constantly have to be on guard against aggresive sales people who will follow you offering their wares. I remember thinking a man was trying to scam me out of local currency when he asked to exchange the US Dollars he was carrying. I later learned he was probably honest in his efforts, given the isolation of the small village in which he lives.
On the same race across one third of the Golden Triangle we also took in Fatehpur Sikri. For whatever reason I was compelled only to document the Panch Mahala (meaning wind catcher tower) and not the magnificent tomb or impressive mosque . Maybe I didn’t feel I could do them justice in photographs. A feeling I’m grappling with now….
Looking back is strange. The images I took, meant to remind me of spectacular places, have lost some luster. Some freshness. Some resonance. Maybe they were better left locked in memory where they can be so grand or spectacular as not to dissappoint the mind. Maybe I can blame the smoggy air for not properly conveying the splendor I saw in person. Maybe I’ll feel differently about the images from Jaipur…
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