Overwhelming Varanasi

Varanasi is considered one of the holiest and most overwhelming cities in India. When we arrived at the Varanasi train station I had to agree. There were people everywhere trying to sell us things, pushing, beeping, spitting and heckling to be our taxi driver. We finally choose Vinod and he took us to our hotel. We liked him so much that we planned a little tour for later that afternoon.

Following our overnight train ride we needed a rest and a swim. For our
tour we went to Sarnath, to see Bodhgaya, the temple where Buddha found
enlightenment. After the beautiful temple we went to see the process of
making silk products. We learned that it takes at least five people one
month just to make one small scarf. I picked my first birthday present
here.

After that awesome demonstration we went for a boat ride on the Ganges
River which is one of the most sacred rivers in India. We went to the
burning ghats which is where they burn bodies after death. It was sad.
The process of the burning is they unwrap the bodies from cloth then
they throw the body in the flames, after 3 hours they collect the ashes,
then throw them in the river and say goodbye to the loved one.

Then next morning we got up for sunrise to see the early bathing in the
Ganges. People come from miles around to get their blessing in the holy
water. Later in the day we swam with some kids who moved to Varanasi
from Seattle. It was fun to play with them and learn about their life in
India. That night we took the overnight train to Agra.

Bye Varanasi!