From Delhi we headed West to Varanasi, one of the holiest cities for Hindus on the Ganga. Pilgrims swarm to the river bank to bath in holy water of the Ganges, they congregate in the evening for music and prayer during the evening ceremony, and they bring loved ones to die in the city and have their ashes spread along the river.
Varanasi was one of those cities where I could sit by the river for hours doing absolutely nothing and I was completely content. While we sat in the sun on the steps by the river, kids flew kits, travellers played music and pye dogs (stray dogs) wrestled one another. There was even a pick-up cricket game taking place on the river bank.
After a relaxing first day hanging out at near Pandey Ghat we woke up early the next morning for two Varanasi musts: a sunrise boat tour and early-morning yoga.
The boat tour was about an hour and cost each of us 100 Rupees, or about $2 CAD.
Our guide told us that lots of people think the Ganga is dirty and polluted, but he swore it wasn't. Nevermind the human remains that float down the river, the garbage on its shore and general lack of waste removal in all of India. But, it's their river and they can do whatever they'd like with it, I guess.
There were a ton of seagulls out in the morning. But, they weren't overly aggressive and didn't try to steal my french fries like they do in Vancouver.
Everything in the city, and pretty much the whole country, is painted some sort of brilliant colour. It's beautiful and even on dreary days the colours really put a positive touch on things.
