VARANASI CHAOSI!!!!!

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HELLLLLLOOOOOO Everyone!!!! Haven't done anything on here for a while as I have been on transport duty!!!! Thanks to KING Brad this blog is as up-to-date as it is :-)
So Varanasi, we really thought we had seen it all til we got here, WOW colourful chaos!! A really helpful rickshaw driver helped us find accomodation as everywhere was pretty full or expensive. We ended up staying in Assi Ghat at Om Home Guesthouse (150rs a night),2GBP, set away a little from the main strip.
The first night we arrived we took a walk down to the Ghat where there was an evening fire show going on in front of the Ganges river. A great atmosphere, all the locals were together singing and chanting, was so good to watch. Lots of touts selling postcards and every other person trying to sell you silk!!! We went to a really nice restaurant, Pizzeria Vaatika, and treated ourselves to nice stonebaked Pizza. Our stomaches couldn't handle another Indian curry!!
Next morning I couldn't believe my eyes. Off to the Ghats we went where we saw people bathing, brushing their teeth, and water buffalo lounging all in the same water. Walk a little further and we saw the burning bodies on the waterside!!!
The dead bodies were brought down to the river on a bamboo stretcher all wrapped in colourful material and flowers. On the wood fire it would go and start burning, was UNREAL!!!The more expensive the wood, and the more there was the better for you having a super after life. As it was burning you would see the feet bones drop off the fire and someone would shovel them up and put them back on the fire, JUST LIKE THAT!!! We couldn't believe what we were seeing, so interesting to watch. Then a smaller body came down, wrapped up again and tied to a large granite slate. This time the body was put onto a boat with who we assumed were family and taken out about 30 meters and then pushed off the side of the boat to sink to the bottom!!!! All this is going on while people are washing their bodies, teeth and clothes in this water and is open to the general public. It is honestly the MADDEST place you will ever travel to,the things one sees as normal to them is so freaky!Varanasi is a busy city, all these small ally ways and millions of rickshaws will drive you to drink...We ended up enjoying it thoroughly, the weather was the best we had had all our time in India, the people seemed very genuine, our accom was cheap so that always means a longer stay, and we were just enjoying eachothers company (although i couldve thrown Brad into the mighty Ganges a couple times(an hour) )...We spent 6 days here,a real pleasant time and is a must visit for anyone coming to the north of India. Sorry there are no photos, we have lots but cannot get them uploaded for now. Lots of love Linz and Brad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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