responding to beauty

its been funny touring round beautiful buildings with becs as we have quite different ways of taking it all in. we chatted a bit about what the difference between us is, and becs pointed out that she is always very aware of the amazing craftmanship, which i hate to admit i'm normally pretty oblivious to. i guess i figure i am just not a buildings kind of a person and mostly get excited about the views out from a high up location, rather than the sights of the building itself. but even i would have to say the taj mahal really was beautiful. i tend to look for lovely shapes, especially lovely arches in india.. and there was plenty of that at the taj - amazing domes in particular. the experience was very different from, say our peaceful wander around bundi palace and fort, there was no chance for any peace and a lot of unwanted hassle from muppets wanting to take their photo with me - presumably to show off their western girlfriend?! but it was still a fun day, even if i did feel more like a tourist than ever before.

i sometimes feel like i am getting too full up with beauty, that my eyes are struggling to take much more in, that i can only allow myself a light scan of my surroundings these days as i am so full up with amazing sights already. of course it doesn't work like that really, i continue to be amazed by colour here and always give that a proper look.. but i do think its ridiculous for one person to have seen as much as i have in one year when so many would not see even a fraction in a lifetime. i just hope i can treasure these sights for a long time to come and continue to spot beauty wherever i am now that i have been given proof of just how much there is in this world.