at an airport in Varanasi which was three months old - bright, beautiful and very modern. This did not prepare us at all for the city. As we drove down the road to our hotel we passed everything and anything you can imagine. The streets are.narrow and dusty - there are all kinds of vehicles and it is definitely a case of the most aggressive driver gets to go where he wants. Our driver happened to be very aggressive and quite a few times we were sure he was going to hit a car, tuk tuk, rickshaw, person, or one of the many cows or bulls that randomly run the streets. I have never come in contact with so many bulls in my life or bulls---! Well, the later part might not be true!!!
We visited an ancient Hindu temple and got a blessing from a Hindu priest, which included the red dot on our forehead. Of course we had to pay for this blessing, but what don't you have to pay for here! The Indian people love their tips.
Last night we went to the River Ganges where we took a boat ride. I keep saying that we can't describe what we see but this was even more astounding than Old Delhi. On the banks of the river is the crematory where families come to cremate their dead and, by the way, only men are allowed to do this as the women cry too much and it takes longer. There are piles of sticks with a dead body in between them - they then pour clarified butter and camphor over it to start the fire. It takes about four to five hours for the cremation to be complete and the family stays until it is done. Once the family leaves there are groups of people who go through the ashes looking for valuables - like jewelry and gold teeth. During this process there are again bulls and cows wandering around between the fires. You just can't make this stuff up!!!
We then went further down the river to watch a Hindu religious ceremony. There were seven Hindu priests on platforms while someone sang chants. It was somewhat of a performance as the priests were all in their early twenties and very attractive. Typically a ceremony like this would be performed by one priest but this was very beautiful. Leaving the area is another adventure. It is so crowded - you have to fight the typical crazy traffic as well as hundreds of homeless people with their hands out, carts selling chai tea and food, people trying to sell postcards and statues and this is a street lined with shops selling saris, silks and other beautiful items.
As we walked along, Lauren looked over and there was a bull sitting in one of the stores as a woman shopped for saris!
Even though it is hectic and crowded beyond belief we have never felt afraid or threatened - the people love to see and talk to Americans!
One more day in Varanasi tomorrow --
Delhi airport
-Streets of Varanasi
Ancient Hindu Temple
River Ganges
Cremations
Hindu religious ceremony
Bull in a sari shop?!
Location:Varanasi, India
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