22nd – 30th June 2008
VaranasiJaipurAgra

This week long journey is filled with memorable incidences, including illegal train rides, arguments and spontaneous activities. Had so much fun with Azusa and Zoe, us 3 girls picking guys up along the way to travel with us, haha=)

Part 1: Varanasi
Day 1 to 3: Kolkata -> Varanasi
15 hrs Non-AC train (Sleeper) 2hrs late

Our first pick-up: Juro (pronounced Euro) from Slovakia. He was in the same cabin as us, and we struck up a friendship in that 15 hrs, well, at least Zoe did at first. Juro had been traveling for the past year and a half (if I remembered correctly), and our group had much to talk about as we are from such different places! Btw: The Indian railway office has allocated seats for tourists, so we often meet new people on the train.

Anyways, let’s come back to Varanasi, India’s holy city! Situated long the western bank of the holy Ganges (pronounced Ganga) river, this is a city that all Hindus come to wash away their sins and burn their dead. Around 80 ghauts border the river, and one can witness anything from people washing their clothes, bathing, brushing their teeth, praying and scattering ashes of the dead. A very interesting sight!

Of course, no one can miss the holy ganga aarti ceremony that took place at sunset at the Dasaswamedh Ghaut when they are in Varanasi. 7 Brahmin priests perform puja everyday, offering their respects to the Ganges. We made a trip down there for the 1 hour ceremony. It was holy, and the fire was indeed mesmerizing…but I was bored out of my pants!

Anyways, Varanasi is the dirtiest city I’ve been to in India. There are animals, dung and rubbish everywhere, and because it is close to the river, the air is perpetually damp and wet, giving the place a ‘dirty’ feeling. Imagine alleyways and cramp housing, and the cows! haha. And of course, I stepped into cow dung. According to Juro, that’s lucky!

A common sight, bulls on the street

On our way to the Dasaswamedh Ghaut

The next day, we took a 2hr boat trip along the Ganges river in the wee hours of the morning. It was a very calm and spiritual journey; the Ganges river is great! The cool air, colorful ghauts, interesting sights. I saw the Ganges dolphin twice! Must say I was really lucky=)

Me trying to row the boat! (and get some exercise to lose the calories I’ve put on!)

Us girls=)

We visited some temples after that, but the highlight of the day was the romantic night on the rooftop with Juro playing Slovakian songs on his guitar, and Rob, a Russian guy we met at the hotel. Music, candlelight, the moon, great view, cool air and Indian Rum!…what more can one ask for! I became so high that night that I put caution to the wind and went out with Rob to the Ganges river at 3am in the morning. Just the 2 of us, walking on the empty streets of Varanasi. It was quite the experience! Wonderful adventure I must say=) Walking around Varanasi in the night was great…

Juro left early the next morning, and we spent our last hours in Varanasi with Rob. He brought us to a ghaut with the most amazing view of the Ganges.

Fantastic view

Rob had the most amazing blue eyes btw. Was totally mesmerized and tried to get a perfect shot of them, haha.
Something new I picked up from the Europeans – drinking beer in the afternoon! Haha…It was really strange, buying beer in the afternoon, but actually, it was very enjoyable! Azusa felt weird about beer too, but it was fun, and it made the hot weather bearable=)

Wait for part 2 and 3 of the trip (Jaipur & Agra)! Didnt have time to blog everything..and uploading is uch a chore..so im doing it in parts..the smart way! =p