Varanasi
Puja on the River
24.08.2008 - 17.08.2008 100 °F
We arrived into the heat today.Could be compared to Venice... there is a river.... but it's a stretch. I love the smell of cow dung in the morning.
The city is on the west side of the Ganges (pronouced Ganga) and across the wide, murky and holy waters lies green fields. The airport cab drove adeptly through chaos to an ATM, which was our meeting point for the guide who would take us through winding narrow streets to our guest house on the river. I was so eager to see the sunlight when we appraoched the banks. THe river just looks so much better for getting around than walking in the winding, wet, narrow, up and down pathways.
Our room is "super deluxe" in name only. There is an AC. We'll see if it works now. After napping we awoke to boys jumping 4 stories into the Ganges. Naked butts and all. Many seem happy to be photographed. We've been given the bacteria count for the river and probably won't even go near it with our feet. We then negotiated (badly?) for a ride to Asi Ghat (the ghats are the steps that extend into the river). I won't tell you what we saw floating in the river, suffice it to say that it cut through any illusions I harbored about a charming city. It got real fast. We did see a burial for someone without so much money: a body wrapped in orange cloth, and pushed off the prow of the boat about 100 feet out. No burning for that man.
Trusting the people who are helping us is such a factor here. Trusting the hotel, the guides. Our boatmen were 4 teenage boys, whom we will meet at 6 am for the famous dawn boat ride on the Ganges.
I'm thinking of my friend Lilia a great deal here, Shiva is particualrly special to her, and this is Shiva's birthplace.
Love, love, love
Posted by leahkreger 24.08.2008 8:11 AM Archived in India
Hi Your accounts are sooo intersting. You rival the Nat Geo. I can almost feel the humidity, smell the Ganges, and sense your hesitation with the accomodations. We are so spoiled. Delilah, I hope you are taking many pictures with the camers in your eyes and brain. And D., are you meeting many/any children there? I think they are as interested in you as you are curious about them. L, your account of the monistary was so vivid also. You took us right there. Andi had #2 Thurs and is doing much better this time. She is tired and dragging but not nearly as much as 3 weeks ago. She did not get antihystamine this time and thinks that is the difference. Her hair is a little shorter than yours at your wedding. We have been enjoying the Olympics. I am rooting for everyone. Closing tonight should be spactacular. Hope your wonderful journey continues safely and colorfully. Hot and humid here. Hugs and kisses to you all. love mom
24.08.2008 by MarilynJ