Are You Interested In The Taj Mahal?
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel and Bookpleasures, is pleased to have as a guest, John Shors, author of Beneath a Marble Sky: A Novel of the Taj Mahal, that is now being made into a major motion picture.
Good day John and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.
John: You're quite welcome. It's truly a pleasure.
Norm:
I understand you spent four years in Asia Try also, Historic Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey , Historic Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey and you backpacked across multiple countries. See, Hawaii Vacation in January? Don't Miss These Local Events , Malaga-A Quick Guide to The Costa Del Sol's Capital
Could you tell us which countries You may also consider, Amsterdam And Its Museums , Travel Shimla India at Cheap Price you visited, and what impressed you most during your adventures?
John:
Yes, I was lucky enough to spend a good chunk of time in Asia. Try also, Hawaii Vacation in January? Don't Miss These Local Events , Charleston, WV During the early to mid 90s I traveled across Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, India, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
These adventures You may also consider, Traveling and Your Valuables , 3 Tips for Business Travelers who Hate Traveling showed me that we truly live in a global society. More important, spending time with the rich and poor, educated and uneducated of Asia also related, Riviera Maya, Mexico - Paradise Defined , Few Travel Tips on a Good Night Sleep taught me that none of us are as different as we think. We all have the same fears, hopes, strengths and weaknesses. Even our religions arent as dissimilar as people believe.
Norm:
If you had to choose 5 of the most unique romantic destinations check out, The Top 5 Reasons to choose a Bed and Breakfast , Rail Tales from South Australia in Asia, You may also consider, Something for Everyone in New Zealand - South Island Part 2 , Visit Glendale California which ones would they be? Why?
John:
· Well, I'd probably have to start with the Taj Mahal. Standing within this structure, knowing that a man built it for his wife is a unique experience, check out, Guide to Besalu, northern Spain , Riviera Maya, Mexico - Paradise Defined and an extraordinarily romantic one.
· For a pair of beach You may also consider, Charleston, WV , Guide to Besalu, northern Spain lovers I'd recommend Krabi, Thailand. This area See, Plan a Vacation Under Budget , Where are Florida Condominiums for Sale or Rent? boasts strikingly beautiful beaches, goto, Carnival Cruise - a perfect holiday, Rock and Rolling with C , Cork -A Quick Guide to Cork Ireland and is quite romantic.
· For a couple that loves outdoors, I'd say the Himalayas of Nepal is worth visiting. These mountains You may also consider, Costa Rica – VW Vans and Crawling Things , China Culture: Beijing Hutong are incredibly powerful and inspiring.
· For a couple who loves the city, view, Tropical Vacations Introduce You to Nature's Glory , Cruising: Fun & Affordable I'd recommend Hong Kong. It offers wonderful shopping goto, Malaga-A Quick Guide to The Costa Del Sol's Capital , Enjoy Some Vacation Time at the Alabame Theatre in Myrtle Beach and dining, and is an exciting blend of old and new.
· Finally, I'd recommend Saigon, or Ho Chi Min City, You may also consider, Cork -A Quick Guide to Cork Ireland , Traveling and Your Valuables as it's known today. Saigon benefits from a strong French influence, and has tree-lined boulevards, five-star restaurants, Try also, Portland Oregon , Carnival Cruise - a perfect holiday, Rock and Rolling with C and is an exciting city goto, Austria - Vienna, Salzburg, Halstatt and Sound of Music , Vacationing in Denver? Don't Miss Our Newest, Hottest Area that is rich in history.
Norm:
How easy or difficult is it to backpack view, Face Down at the Cabo San Lucas Hotel , Face Down at the Cabo San Lucas Hotel or travel goto, Where are Florida Condominiums for Sale or Rent? , Introduction to Budget around countries You may also consider, Independent Travel For Families , Escape to the Old City: St. Augustine, Florida in Asia?
John:
It really depends on the country. See, Amsterdam And Its Museums , Guide to Besalu, northern Spain India is hard. Thailand and Japan are easy. Typically, the wealthier the country, You may also consider, Enjoy Some Vacation Time at the Alabame Theatre in Myrtle Beach , Identity Theft Protection and Awareness for Travelers the easier it is for travelers goto, Amsterdam And Its Museums , Carnival Cruise - a perfect holiday, Rock and Rolling with C to get around. Fortunately, all of these countries also related, Enjoy Some Vacation Time at the Alabame Theatre in Myrtle Beach , Traveling and Your Valuables have good railway Try also, Cruising: Fun & Affordable , An Adventure Of A Lifetime systems, and I've found that the train check out, Guide to Besalu, northern Spain , Carnival Cruise - a perfect holiday, Rock and Rolling with C is an excellent mode of transportation throughout Asia. You may also consider, Vacationing in Denver? Don't Miss Our Newest, Hottest Area , Guide to Besalu, northern Spain One gets to see a lot of ground this way, and enjoys experiences check out, Camino de Santiago , Travel Shimla India at Cheap Price that one would never have from the air. Just be sure to pay a little extra for a first-class seat or sleeping compartment.
Norm:
You wrote a book about the Taj Mahal. Could you describe to our readers what impresses you most about this wonder of the world?
John:
Well, after experiencing the Taj Mahal, I was motivated to spend the next five years of my life writing Beneath a Marble Sky. So, it's fair to say that the mausoleum had a profound impact upon me. If you'll indulge me for a moment, I'll describe my experience view, Guide to Besalu, northern Spain , The Bulgarian Aviation in the XXI Century to you as best as I can.
By luck rather than design, my wife and I arrived at the mausoleum early and were the first visitors check out, Riviera Maya, Mexico - Paradise Defined , Traveling and Your Valuables onto the grounds. To be honest, stepping through the vast sandstone gate was like immersing myself into a photo. The Taj Mahal glistened in the light of dawn, glowing like a sculpted ember. The day was still, the only movement from birds wheeling about the tear-shaped dome.
At first glance, the Taj looked seamless to me, as though it had been hewn from a single piece of ivory. It was smooth and soaring, and I found it impossible to believe that human hands crafted it so long ago. In my many travels, also related, Camping Beaches: A Disappearing Resource , Portland Oregon I'd seen nothing like it. It wasn't boastful like so many celebrated monuments. It didn't seek to intimidate, to define my thoughts on it. Instead, it seemed to invite creative interpretation. I thought it looked like the woman it was built to celebrate, abounding with smooth curves and grace.
I was only vaguely aware then of the remarkable story behind the mausoleum that the Emperor of India built it for his beloved wife, whom he called Taj Mahal. She died in childbirth, and as she departed she asked him to grant her one wish. She asked that he build her something beautiful, and then each year to visit Try also, Costa Rica – VW Vans and Crawling Things , Egypt : Land Before Time the site on their anniversary and light a candle.
Possessing only this tidbit of information was more than enough to make me walk faster, to move toward the spot where they lay beside each other. To know that a man created this treasure for his wife was inspiring. I had never experienced the depths of what his sorrow must have been as she died in his arms, but his passion for her was palpable, and somehow it was infectious. I felt extremely alive.
As we drew closer to them, ascending the vast white marble platform goto, Riviera Maya, Mexico - Paradise Defined , Blackpool Hotels Entertainment Facilities on which the main structure rested, I became aware of the millions of semi-precious stones that adorned the walls. One doesnt see these works of art in the standard photos of the Taj Mahal. Lapis, jade, quartz, amber, emeralds and onyx are set into the white marble. Marvellously detailed arrangements of these polished and shaped stones form garlands of flowers, check out, An Overview of South Africa for Travelers , Rail Tales from South Australia timeless and impossibly exquisite.
The Taj Mahal was designed to reflect the different moods of the day, and as the sun You may also consider, Costa Rica – VW Vans and Crawling Things , Independent Travel For Families rose, the mausoleum whitened, almost as though the light were bleaching it. Though we were tempted to stand motionless indefinitely, we moved toward the centerpiece of the structure, the tomb room. We were the first visitors check out, James Muranguri Gichohi , The Bulgarian Aviation in the XXI Century inside the octagonally shaped room, accessed by eight arched doorways. The domed ceiling towered far above us. The room should have been dark, but the marble surrounding us seemed to glow, as if illuminated from within. The two vaults in the center of the room were inset with the most beautiful gatherings of jewelled flowers goto, Why Cairo is a City of Charm and Mystique , Egypt : Land Before Time that I had seen scarlet tulips and indigo fuchsias.
As the day lengthened, travelers See, Carnival Cruise - a perfect holiday, Rock and Rolling with C , Something for Everyone in New Zealand - South Island Part 2 from many corners of the world You may also consider, Charleston, WV , Carnival Cruise - a perfect holiday, Rock and Rolling with C began to appear. Few spoke. Most acted, as we did, so in awe of the surroundings that conversation seemed trivial, almost sacrilegious. Knowing smiles were exchanged between strangers, as if we all shared a bond that rendered politics and differences temporarily obsolete.
And how could we not? I don't think anyone could have left that site unmoved or unchanged. One doesn't visit goto, Imagine Scotland 40 million years ago , Glendale California the Taj Mahal and walk away without feeling that the world also related, Charleston, WV , Identity Theft Protection and Awareness for Travelers is a better place check out, Blackpool Hotels Entertainment Facilities , Costa Rica – VW Vans and Crawling Things than one thought.
Norm:
How did you go about planning for your trip You may also consider, Egypt : Land Before Time , Hawaii Vacation in January? Don't Miss These Local Events around Asia?
John:
The great thing about traveling Try also, An Adventure Of A Lifetime , Historic Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey in Asia also related, The Australian Outback: So Where Or What Exactly Is The Outback? , Imagine Scotland 40 million years ago is that you meet other travelers goto, Introduction to Budget Travel , The Bulgarian Aviation in the XXI Century who will tell you the best places You may also consider, Malaga-A Quick Guide to The Costa Del Sol's Capital , The Australian Outback: So Where Or What Exactly Is The Outback? to go. We never really planned things that much, other than which country goto, Camino de Santiago , Plan a Vacation Under Budget we'd be in. Then, when we'd land in a country's capital, we'd go to a spot that travelers check out, Charleston, WV , Hawaii Vacation in January? Don't Miss These Local Events converged in, and everyone would tell us about the latest and greatest spot to go enjoy. If one doesn't have the luxury You may also consider, Escape to the Old City: St. Augustine, Florida , Costa Rica – VW Vans and Crawling Things of time, I'd recommend a book like The Lonely Planet.
Norm:
How useful do you find the Internet when planning any of your adventures?
John:
I think that the Internet definitely has an important role. It is certainly useful for research and inspiration. However, travelers See, Egypt : Land Before Time , Savannah Vacation - Find out What She Means to You have to be flexible when basing a portion of their trip Try also, An Overview of South Africa for Travelers , A Family-Friendly Florida Vacation on research conducted online. After all, a hotel also related, Rail Tales from South Australia , Plan a Vacation Under Budget in Bombay might look a bit different online than it does at 3 a.m. in person. As long as travelers check out, Enjoy Some Vacation Time at the Alabame Theatre in Myrtle Beach , China Culture: Beijing Hutong are fine with a few such surprises, I think the Internet has great potential.
Norm:
What is next for John Shors?
John:
For the time being, I continue to promote Beneath a Marble Sky. My novel is being made into a major motion picture, so I'm involved a lot more with Hollywood than I thought I ever would be. At some point I'd love to start writing again perhaps in a few months.
Norm:
Is there anything else you care to comment about?
John:
If people have any specific questions about Asia, Try also, Vacationing in Denver? Don't Miss Our Newest, Hottest Area , The Top 5 Reasons to choose a Bed and Breakfast they should feel free to email me at shors@aol.com. If anyone would like more information about my novel, please visit goto, How You Can Afford That Long Holiday , Cruising: Fun & Affordable my Site.
Norm Goldman is the Editor of the travel See, Cheap Hotels In UK , ing and Your Valuables site, http://sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, http://bookpleasures.com.
Norm is also a travel goto, Independent For Families , Austria - Vienna, Salzburg, Halstatt and Sound of Music writer and he and his artist wife, Lily, meld words with art focusing on romantic and wedding destinations. You may also consider, Travel Shimla India at Cheap Price , James Muranguri Gichohi
You can read their travel Try also, Escape to the Old City: St. Augustine, Florida , Where are Florida Condominiums for Sale or Rent? articles on sketchandtravel.com and you can read Norm`s book reviews along with reviews of more than 25 international prestigious reviewers at Bookpleasures.com.
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