India - not for the faint hearted

Crossing the border into India we were met with beggars, cows, rubbish heaps, burning heaps in the road, dogs - and chaos. Was a basic introduction to what we would see and experience in Varanasi.

Varanasi is the oldest contiuosuly inhabited holy city in the world - all aimed around the River Ganges. The Hindu people believe this river is holy and people pilgrimage to drink or bath in this river. But on the sides of the river the dead are cremated (we witnessed 3 cremations on the ghats (sides of the river)) and further up the river dead bodies are thrown (pregnant women and children do not get cremated - instead they are bundled up and thrown in the river). Along with the pollution of this city and other dead animals, the river is disgusting.
We were met with views from the side of the Ganges which left us speechless but we braved a sunrise boat ride up the Ganges to see the people bathing in the water, cremations and the different ghats along the river.

 In the afternoon we went on another boat ride to watch the sunset together with the daily ritual of a dedication by 7 priests to the River Ganges. Although the sunset was pretty we could see these cremations along the river

I must say though i am glad i have been to this city, but i dont think i will be back. It was really interesting to see the river and the city and how so many people pilgrimage to the place but it was a bit too much for the westerners and we were happy to head on to the next stop.

We visited the second holy Buddhist place which is in India (the first one we went to in Lumbini where Buddha was born). This is Sarnath where Buddha did his first sermon to his 4 disciples under the tree. Around this area there are massive ruins which were built to honour this holy site of Buddha's sermon. This is James and I with the ruins in the background

After Sarnath we had to board our overnight train to Orchha. Fi and I were dreading this with the pillows, sheets and blankets that are given to all passengers. Can you imagine the germs and bed bugs. We opted for our own sleeping bag and bags for a pillow and i still managed to get bitten by some bugs. not ideal.

I had the top bunk, not the best night sleep and I was very happy to get off the next morning after a 15 hour train ride.

We are now in Orchha - a much smaller town than Varanasi but still the same chaos that seems to be the common theme in India. We are staying in tents which overlook the ancient 16th century palaces in this area - very pretty

We all decided to do the optional extra of a cooking class in a local families home, was the best food we have had in India. And we got a blessing going into their house which is why i have the red dot on my head :)

About to head off to Agra - very excited to see the Taj Mahal tomorrow!

Miss you all
Lots of love