We got to the airport on time and with no further glitches. We got the airport express train from central Delhi! It's a fast sate of the art train, cleaner and faster than the airport express trains in London.
Having landed in Varanasi our driver was there to pick u up with a helper! I finally got into an Ambassador car! Have been wanting to ride one - it's some 1960's model! He stopped us about a five minute walk from the b&b since the alley ways are too small for anything to pass through (albeit motorcycles still manage!!!!). Everyone was welcoming and we were escorted to our room which to my pleasure was immaculately clean! If you had to see the b&b from the outside you'd think it was a shack! We do have a full Ganges view room! What else could we ask for?
We didn't have time to settle down! It was 5:50pm and the sunset boat ride was about to leave at 6:15. Cameras on the ready we went to our boat which was waiting for just the two of us. Varanasi is different to any city we've been to. Why? Because we don't seem to be the only tourists! In fact it's the first time we didn't feel constantly harassed and bombarded with stares. Here we seemed to blend in nicely!
The boat ride was spectacular - the Hindus here take their holy city seriously and their prayers even more. I thought it would be a tourist hype but indeed people from all over India come here to pray and bury their dead. The ride lasted and hour and we saw ceremonies and the burning of bodies. No bodies are floating anymore due the hygiene (yet still filthy - if I had to fall in I'd die with just the panic of all the yuck I'd be swallowing!). They do throw some bodies in though with a stone wrapped around them, however this only happens to certain people. We hope the photos turned out good!!! Not sure the blog supports video but I took a short one on my phone that will be sent!
This morning was another early start and we went to see the ghats again a this time with sunrise. It's again surreal for Gabie and I to be here! A place to come to if you visit India!
The test of the day was or shopping (ta l-ahhar). We thought that there won't be much here, it being a holy city and all that, but this was the bet place to shop! Narrow lanes bursting with colours and stalls - everything Indian! We made good bargaining deals too! The trick is I walk away and they will give you the price you want (doesn't always work!). We bought some paint which the hacker started off with Rs 500. We managed to get it to Rs 100 and the 2nd box Rs 50. Good deal or what? We rewarded ourselves with a good Lassi! (here pictured). Very renown!
Tonight we watched a ceremony which we saw from the boat last night. Lots of chanting and incense and fire. Pretty but I was hungry!
We are now dining at what is called the Brown bread bakery! It's small and looks really dingy but we have live music and the food is said to be fantastic!
This might be my last India blog! Tomorrow we fly back to Delhi and are meeting a friend as soon as we land and fr. George for dinner!
I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did!!!! After here it's packing time and scrubbing time. Gabie and I never felt this dirty! It will take a few week for the dirt to seep out of our skin! (feet iluateation) And to end on a positive note.... No belly bug! Well 2 more days left to go so I'd better not jinx it right?
Love to all!!!
