now in India
We've been in Varanasi, India for the past two days. Varanasi is one of the holiest cities in India and is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. Similar to Mecca for Muslims, every Hindu should try to get to Varanasi once in their lives to bathe in the Ganges. Apparently we missed out on a Brad Pitt sighting here in Varanasi. While we were lazing around the hotel, the other lady on our tour saw him down on the waterfront. Oh well.
Yesterday we had an very early wakeup call as we left at 5:30 a.m. to go down to the Ganges to see all the early morning bathers and other activity. Quite lively down there at 6 in the morning. We returned back to the river at sundown to see the priests lead their daily end-of-the-day thanksgiving ceremony.
To get to Varanasi we first flew from Kathmandu to the border and then took a 8 hour drive to the city. Our flight was on a 30 seater propeller plane. It only lasted 30 minutes, but they still managed to serve us peanuts, soft drinks and beer - and they didn't charge us like Ryanair. They did keep playing with the departure time, though. Originally we were told 4 p.m. then the day before we were told 5 p.m. but then the day of the flight it was back to 4:10, which is what the check-in desk said, then we were told 5 again and then finally the departure board said 5:15. Well, it did leave "on-time" at 5:15 exactly, but I think it's cheating slightly when you change your departure time 4 times!
Driving in India is fun. Amazing how 2 lanes of road turn into about 8 different lanes going in all directions. You've got the bicycles, the cycle rickshaws, the auto rickshaws, the pedestrians, the carts, the mopeds, the motorcycles, the cars, the buses, the big trucks, the dogs, the goats, and, of course, the cows - who can do whatever the heck they like, including laying down right in the middle of the road while everyone tries to avoid them.
We are heading out tonight on the overnight train to Delhi.
Yesterday we had an very early wakeup call as we left at 5:30 a.m. to go down to the Ganges to see all the early morning bathers and other activity. Quite lively down there at 6 in the morning. We returned back to the river at sundown to see the priests lead their daily end-of-the-day thanksgiving ceremony.
To get to Varanasi we first flew from Kathmandu to the border and then took a 8 hour drive to the city. Our flight was on a 30 seater propeller plane. It only lasted 30 minutes, but they still managed to serve us peanuts, soft drinks and beer - and they didn't charge us like Ryanair. They did keep playing with the departure time, though. Originally we were told 4 p.m. then the day before we were told 5 p.m. but then the day of the flight it was back to 4:10, which is what the check-in desk said, then we were told 5 again and then finally the departure board said 5:15. Well, it did leave "on-time" at 5:15 exactly, but I think it's cheating slightly when you change your departure time 4 times!
Driving in India is fun. Amazing how 2 lanes of road turn into about 8 different lanes going in all directions. You've got the bicycles, the cycle rickshaws, the auto rickshaws, the pedestrians, the carts, the mopeds, the motorcycles, the cars, the buses, the big trucks, the dogs, the goats, and, of course, the cows - who can do whatever the heck they like, including laying down right in the middle of the road while everyone tries to avoid them.
We are heading out tonight on the overnight train to Delhi.
posted by Kevin at 11/17/2006 10:27:00 AM
4 Comments:
Did you see Kramer and Newman pulling the rickshaws??
-bpi
Maoist encounters and seahorses on sticks - such is your life. Waitrose is Mum's so I've just taught her how to look at your blog. Now her life is a little richer. Good luck with the onward journey!
Heidi and Carol
Don't panic! Carol has discovered the archive section of your blog. What a relief! You don't have to come back to England to show her how a blog works. Eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Heidi and Carol
hi k&k,
glad to see you're enjoying india! Just a quck reminder: re shopping when they ask for 100, ask for 20 and pay no more than 40.
gayle
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