The Ghats and the River Ganges

Just as beautiful and even more awe inspiring than I expected, the ghats along the Ganges are so pretty! There are so many of them (old, colorful and crumbly buildings) it stretches for miles. Each ghat has a different name and all of the addresses for buildings in behind are based on the ghat they are near. You can get rowed around at sunset for an hour for 150 rupees ($3).

A busy main street in Varanasi

Our neighbor

Cows here live wherever they want. They sit/stand/shit in the middle of the tiny alleyways and wander wherever they please. Looks like this one participated in Holi too :)

One of the amazing little alleyways

Laundry Day Varanasi

Train from Delhi to Varanasi

This is an aisle picture of our sleeper car. On the left are two bunks and on the right is our "compartment" which has one top bunk on either side and then a seat and backrest (on either side). You lift up the backrest from the bottom and connect it to some hanging chains and it becomes the middle bed.

The day trip was quite nice, though we were the only tourists on board (great for people watching) but at night we were the only women - it was a bit like being in a zoo. I was glad there was three of us. I had veggie bahrani? (rice) for 45 rupees and it was so good! I love that I can eat most things here :)

Birthday lunch

I believe this was an uthappam. So good! And the bread-like part is a papas I think, made of chick peas so I can eat it :) I have actually don't seem to have much trouble eating here. I seem to be able to eat most things, though I'm for sure avoiding dairy (not a fan of the un-refrigerated cheese and yogurt) and probably meat as well for this trip. Good thing they have lots of chick peas and lentils :)