Day 36 - Varanasi - The Ganges

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Day 36 - Varanasi - The Ganges

I was up and about at 7am this morning, I guess that's because I was in bed by 11pm! I am making the effort to look after my self, allowing my body what it needs to recover! In order to do this, I chose to miss another group social night! It's hard, not being a part of the social group, but I just can't do anything about that right now, as I have other priorities! But I do feel it changes the balance of the group for me.

I get on with everyone really well, but when the rest of the group spend time drinking and talking, on a few occasions, it is only natural that they become acquainted on a different level. The topics and things that are said, done, and experienced at these times, then spill over into conversations over the next few days.

As the only person not participating, I'm feel that I'm not on the same level, because I'm not aware of the events, then I'm not a part of the conversations.

I'm certainly not complaining about this, as its my priority to recover, so I don't really have a choice, I'm just noting how it is impacting on my experience.

Our itinary has changed for Varanasi. Anu explained that because the train was so late getting in, we were too late to go to the evening flower ceremony on the Ganges. Also, because of the heavy rain, the boats are not going out on the Ganges anyway! Then for the same reason, we will not be going for the sunset either! None of this can be helped so you just have to be flexible.

We have plans to go to the final night of the auspicious flower ceremony tonight, but we will go to the ghat, not on a boat. That should be just as awesome, I'll let you know later.

I decided to pass time by going in for breakfast, in the only person in the restaurant so have all three waiters serving me... Lol Breakfast is good this morning. It usually is when it is a buffet breakfast.

I went back to bed for a little nap for an hour before meeting Anu for the days sightseeing.

We set off to a market in Varanasi, it really doesn't have anything that I am interested in. We continue to the Ganges. It is so busy. We go to the cremation site where actual cremations are being done.

This visit is so different to my last experience, which is a good thing! The water is so high that it is unrecognisable to me. We went to one side of the ghat, but it is not possible to see, so we were taken through a maze of backstreets to climb a couple of flights of stairs where we can see really closely what is happening below. We had a really clear view of the cremation area.

I still got a very spiritual feeling, just by being there! Anu gave us a good explanation of a Hindu burial, and the 5 important parts of a Hindus life.

We continue our walk, stopping to get a lassi in a bit of shade. A much needed bit of shade, with a fan too. It is so hot right now!

We get back into the tuk tuks to go to the silk factories. I have done this tour before, but will join in as there is nothing else to do instead.

It was a short tour that took us to the co operative seller. I bought a silk bed set! I couldn't help myself! Anna bought a beautiful Saree, Bernie also got the bedding, Lisa went for the taffeta scarf. We were all happy to have finally bought something. Not forgetting that we all got a scarf for free as a gift!

Our tuk tuks were waiting outside to take us back to the hotel. We grab a bit of lunch, then have an hour to relax before setting off for the last auspicious ceremony later tonight.

It was a bad start, I was ready, but waiting for Anna, we finally got downstairs 10 minutes late. This meant we were late setting off!

We got going in our rickshaws. The street was so crazy with so many people, and traffic of all descriptions! But as I said earlier, this is the final evening ceremony in the auspicious month, therefore important.

At one point, the rickshaw that Anna and I were in nearly got lost amongst a huge tribe of lads! But we hung in there! The nearer we got to the Ganges, the more crazy busy it got.

When we arrived, we met up with the G Yolo group and together we were ushered to a first class standing point!

I couldn't believe our luck! At first I was disappointed that we could not go on boats due to the rains, but with having such an awesome first visit in a boat, I really benefitted from my second visit being this way. The best of both worlds! it was so much better for me!

We were literally over top of the priests. I loved it! What a one off experience to be so close. So glad the rain came and stopped the boats!

We left before it finished in order to make our getaway a bit easier. It was a good job we did, as it certainly wasn't easy to get away! The traffic was so crazy, I know I am repeating myself, I suppose seeing, and hearing in this case, is believing!

We dropped off at a restaurant on the way back for our evening meal. I was whisked away by Bhoolchand to have my photo taken. I need it for my Nepal visa tomorrow. I did have one prepared, but I used it to get my SIM card! The meal was very nice, I was really ready for it tonight. Another sign of my health improving I think.

Back to the hotel, an early night for all. We have a really early start tomorrow, we leave at 4.30am

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Comments

[Angela]

Better!
Good to read that you are feeling much better. So pleased. The experiences you are having are amazing....you'll never forget them.....and so interesting to have the different view of things this time round. That's good. Take care....I'm still reading! Enjoy it all!