Varanasi and the Return to India

It was a LONG drive over the border and onto Varanasi. We farewelled our tour guide, G and met our new caretaker. Unfortunately we were told our tour group would be split in half and my half would combine with some other travellers awaiting our arrival in Varanasi. This was a little sad – we were becoming a little family but we were shortly distracted from this when we heard our accommodation would have both air conditioning and a swimming pool – DELIGHT!

We awoke bright and early the following day for our 5:30am departure to the Dasaswamedh Ghat to see the Ganges bustling with morning worshippers. There wasn’t much to see except for some dirty water and bazillions of Hindus dressed in the colour saffron bathing in the river. We then walked the streets of the old town that were somewhat like a maze with cows causing roadblocks. We broke free of the smells, jumped on the buses and went to see the Benares Hindu University. Dubbed the best in the country, this university is gigantic (5-sq-km) – complete with its own water and electricity systems. We visited the New Vishwanath Temple and mossied around a tiny part of it. We later visited a village of silk weavers. We saw looms in people’s homes, the process of dyeing silk purple, were greeted by a bunch of gorgeous children and were shown an exhibit of exception pieces of silk work. I couldn’t help but buy gifts here – the quality and designs were brilliant.

We had plans to go down to the ghats for dinner but sadly a gigantic traffic jam (in this city that means zero movement for a number of hours) gave reason for a 180 degree turn around. We then searched and searched for an ATM and bought bracelets for Rakhi Day (brother day – where sisters give bracelets to their brothers to bless them). Then it was back to the hotel for an evening at the bar – lots of giggles and lots of fun.

The following day was filled with much needed rest – a sleep in, a late breakfast and best of all - A BOLLYWOOD FILM. I absolutely loved it and was devastated we had to leave early to get to the train station. It was so fun to watch and the most amusing film I have seen in a long time! So onwards we go to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, let’s hope I score some sleep on this train!!