More New Year Reports from Agra

The new year continues in Agra, after making the obligatory rounds of the carpet and marble-inlay handicraft workshops, and drinking the obligatory round of tea and discussing relative merits of single- or double-knotted carpets. We disappointed a few salesmen. But our well-connected auto-rickshaw driver helped us find just the right rugs -- simple, hand-woven dhurries. These and a tiny marble elephant will remind us of our time in Agra, in addition to the wonderful memories of the Taj Mahal.

Agra has evidently been designated by the government as a tourist/handicraft zone, since regular more-polluting industry was banned from the area ten years ago in an attempt to reduce pollution damage to the monuments. Those efforts are apparent, in that Agra is notably less polluted than Delhi. There is also a lower sales tax, as well as tax incentives for handicraft workshops.

Barb made the final trip to the rug exporters today, and bid farewell to Nasher, our helpful auto-rickshaw driver. We now restfully await our evening train back to Delhi, en route to Wongdhen Tibetan Guest House for the night.

The family seems to be back in healthy shape now, due in part to healthy food and the relaxing days we spent here in Agra.