… or at least I’ve peered murkily in the general direction, but the pollution-filled haze would have challenged even the oracle at Delphi to see anything clearly.
The pollution in Delhi is appalling – a smelly, foggy haze hanging over the city. It’s just downright lucky, for all my blog readers, that I look so good in a face mask –
Part of the problem is stubble burning, compounded by Diwali fireworks – so this year all fireworks were banned … allegedly –
We took to checking the air quality every morning – and comparing it to places at home –
And just to put Delhi’s pollution into perspective. This is a list of the world’s most polluted cities –
And … this was well before the pollution peaked. A week later it went off the worldwide scale, which only goes up to 500. Schools were closed and people were advised to stay indoors. When questioned about the emergency the Health Minister suggested that people should eat carrots, and the Environment Minister recommended listening to beautiful music. Politicians seem to be just as helpful and useful in India as they are in England.
But I found the pollution at Agra much more shocking. The Taj Mahal is one of the most iconic buildings in the world, and to see it (or not see it) at dawn, when it’s supposed to be wreathed in beautiful pink light, is heartbreaking –
We visited twice, a week apart, and the Diwali-induced crisis was apparent –
pre-Diwali 
post-Diwali
Both of these pictures were taken at the same time of day – late afternoon – when the pollution is supposed to be at its best.
But of course, toxic pollution notwithstanding, we had to take off our face masks and indulge in some Bollywood-style pics –
And it did give me the excuse for just one sexy, face mask selfie …
… every pollution-filled cloud has a hazy silver lining – if you can manage to see it.