So I know I am a few days behind - I was taken hostage by the flu and had to spend a day in bed (along with 2 long days of travel before that). I am doing much better now (thank you for asking) and will resume being more blogger-y.
Ok, so onto Varanasi.
I cannot in words describe what this city is like. It is magical, mystical, old beyond words (it is one of the oldest 'living' cities in the world having been founded anywhere from 3,000-5,000 years ago according to most reports), and absolutely confounding to the senses.
The streets are all cobble-stone brick and weave together like a labyrinth. After spending 3 days I still could not find my way back to our hotel and had to follow Steve "human compass" around like a puppy.
I have never encountered a city so incredibly full of life and so full of death at the same time. We happened to be in Varanasi during a festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Saraswati, the god of learning, and everywhere we turned people were dancing, laughing, singing. We were pulled into dancing circles with young kids so happy and elated you would think they were auditioning for High School Musical. College-aged men danced in the streets and sang at the top of their lungs, and there was no alcohol involved (something my American eyes have never seen). They ran through the streets, in groups of up to 100 holding up large Saraswati idols, each one bigger than the next, that they would take down to the River Ganges, get in a boat, and offer as puja (prayer) and drop into the river.
We met so many people that were the nicest and most amazing people ever and couldn't stop smiling and laughing and dancing.
Wow, y'all! Such two totally different sides of a crazy sounding city. I just read both Varansi posts and not only are the pictures really beautiful, your account of the experience is great. riveting, even. :)
ReplyDelete