2 April - Varanasi

Varanasi proved to be much more like the "India" we imagined, with crowded streets and every single form of transportation you can think of on the roads! After being picked up from the hotel by Arjay (our tour guide), we headed straight for the market area, where we excitedly dodged ox, cows, goats, tuc-tucs, rickshaws, motorcycles, bicycles, cars, vans, trucks, and pedestrians! It was unreal to be submersed in such chaos - and to find out that this was only about 25% of the normal traffic! You see, on this day, India was playing Sri Lanka in the World Cup Cricket final, so most people were off the streets, cheering on their country! This amazed us. We couldn't believe the streets were normally BUSIER! WOWEE!







This evening we headed through the market towards the Ganges, where we got into a little boat to go see one of the main cremation sites along river - at the Manikarnika Ghat (a ghat is a set of steps leading down to the water). I wasn't really sure how we would feel when we saw this, but once we arrived, we were captivated. Learning about the ritual and seeing it all unfold was incredible. We couldn't look away and asked question after question to make sure we understood what was going on. It is believed that by being cremated at this site, a Hindu may be reincarnated to achieve a higher placing in their next life, with the sins of their present lifetime being washed away by the holy water. This is the same reason others come to bathe in the river - to cleanse themselves of any wrong-doings and make offerings for a better future. I wish I could accurately convey the experience, but I cannot. Let's hope a picture really can speak a thousand words....



After witnessing the cremations (which happen 24 hours a day, at two sites along the Ganges), we went back to the Prayag Ghat where we started to watch the "ganga aarti" ceremony that happens every evening. This is a river worship ceremony that is done to express gratitude to the "Mother Ganges" and to ask for forgiveness and strength to continue in this life. Our guide managed to get us VIP seating, on the only double-decker boat around, and we enjoyed coca-cola's while listening to translations of the chanting, singing, and movements of the men involved. The people in attendance were primarily locals and we sat in awe at the fact that this happens every single night, tourists or not. It gave me chills. And teary-eyes. Goosebumps just thinking of it.





Back at the hotel, it was all about the match! We watched the game in our hotel room and were delighted to watch the sky burst with fireworks when India won! Despite the all-night party outside, we were able to get to sleep in time to enjoy the next morning!



CONGRATULATIONS, INDIA! You are the first country to win the WCC in your own nation!!!