Assi Ghat, Varanasi

10/15/08

One of the things I love about traveling is experiencing places I have never even heard of. Varanasi is one of those places. Indian people consider it one of the most sacred place to die. They celebrate death and consider this place a gateway to the most peaceful resting place. The dead are cremated by the Ganges River 24/7. You can only be cremated here if you die in Varanasi. George Harrison and Gandi's ashes were brought here. People also do morning and evening prayers here every day. We are staying at a small, quaint place (hoteltemple.com). Our guide India Supra has been coming here for over 15 years. She has many friends here and the kids that live across the court call her Grandmother. The father of the family owns the boat that we ride on to the celebrations. The boat has a large top deck that is covered in sheets and pillows for us to sit on. This evening we enjoyed several musician friends that played drums and harmoniums and sing for us. The Ganges River is quite wide here with a gentle current. The moon is still full and beautifully reflects off the water. We are all given little baskets with flowers and candles that you gently place in the river as you make your wishes and prayer. The little baskets look magical as they float down the river and weave between the other boats.

The shopping is great here. Beautiful silks and cottons, craft works, carvings and statues. Our guides, India Supra and Raj from Multivision Travel help us find the really special shops and negotiate good deals. With months of travel still ahead it's really difficult to limit my investments! All the shops have young guys on the street that try to get you into there shops. They remenber your name and offer "a realy good price". My naturally curly hair seems to be a big attraction and I am taller than most people so I seem to get alot of invitations.

I had a fantastic hour and a half massage today for 400 ruppes ( less than $10). Tomorrow at 6:00AM we have a special yoga session with an Indian yoga teacher-another sun rise on the Ganges. Days are long and hot. The food is vegetarian and not too spice. Dal, naan, mixed veg and rice- no alcohol but plenty of bottled water.

I hope to get some pictures posted soon. Thanks for the emails and comments. That's all for now. Namaste