Monthly Archives: April 2013

Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India. People often refer to Varanasi as “the city of temples”, “the holy city of India”, “the religious capital of India”, “the city of lights”, “the city of learning”, and “the oldest living city on earth.”
The heat emanated off of the sidewalks and walls here. People were in the Ganges from morning until night cooling off.

We saw women lined up along the road collecting cow manure. With their bare hands working elbow deep they would mix the manure with some mud and straw to create a log or a patty to be used to make a fire. The people say they do not stink when burning. (?)
They also use manure to make small homes.

On this train we had to be on high alert. These spots were the only ones they had left, so we took them. We locked our stuff together and put our feet on them. Jesse and I took turns staying awake. I was so high on adrenaline, I couldn’t sleep anyways. Every time I looked up- some guy was making eye contact with me (and not in a good way either.) I read somewhere if you smile back, they might think you are flirting, but of you are rude- they will be offended and angry. So I tried to make a face that was in between ‘Please go to sleep and have nice dreams, sir, and do not mess with my family.’ At one point, some guys got on the train saying that we were in their seats. Maddux was half laying on me so it was hard to sit up. A guy was trying to sit on my head. Jesse said, “what’s going on?” Then he helped them figure out they were in the wrong compartment. To go the the bathroom, you walked over bodies sleeping anywhere they could find a spot. I got back to my seat and someone was sitting there. I was like “come on!!!” Some parts of India (not all) are so densely populated that the people are fighting to just ‘be’ every minute of the day.
I have to add this was not Julia Roberts’ India from “Eat, Pray, Love” – the India we chose to see was gritty, raw, beautiful, confusing and spiritual.

He is truly a good person who took care of us and the kids. He even gave Emerson little gifts from his wife and bought the kids treats- he also invited us to his home for tea but we had to go to the train station. I don’t have his information now, but I will post as soon as I find it. He always wears head to toe white, except on Saturday when he wears all black and people tell him he resembles Super Mario!
Thank you, Vicky! Drive safe!