I feel that I need to describe this journey in the way it felt to us - chaotic. So here it goes:
Wake up at 6:30 am to Phil being sick in washroom. Must pack and check out anyways. Drive 40 minutes to train station through mud and people comfortably using mother nature as the world's toilet. Get to station. Creepy. Don't want to be left alone in van, but driver and guide leave us there anyways. Try to justify the situation, "even in Canada public transit is sketchy". Helped only for a moment. Finally rescued from stares by guide. Bring suitcases in to platform 4. Move them back to 3. Go back to 4. Guide unsure. Phil getting mad. Train is delayed 30 minutes. We wait. Scared. Annoyed. Dodge the cows hanging out at the station. Train finally arrives. Seats in separate cabins. Decide to sit in a seat together until moved. We were moved. To the top bunks we go. To the most disgusting washroom on Earth Phil goes. With Dettol wipes. Every 20 minutes. Poor guy. Can't eat food being served - warned against potential drugging/poisons used in meals before. The smell? A collection of cigarettes, gasoline, farts, greasy food, and mildew. Phil thinks the sheets are plagued with hepatitis. I don't understand why the old man beside me can't stop farting. "Admire the beautiful countryside"? HOW? We are about two feet from the roof, windowless, and forced to lay down in our "first class seats". Sadly, our seats were 100 times better than those in "third class". Uh-oh. I have cramps now too. Oh no. It's already been 8 hours....can we survive 2 more? We did. God bless Dettol wipes. And guides who pick you up as you get off the train. Drive to hotel. Phil says "go to the Taj without me". Ya right. Not happening. Phil spends night on toilet. I spend night in pain. 6 a.m. came WAY TOO soon for our liking.
And we will NEVER, EVER travel via train in India EVER again. But you should, because now it is HILARIOUS to think about :)
Monday, April 18, 2011
3 April - Varanasi
After our sunrise excursion on the Ganges, we continued our exploration of Varanasi with open eyes! Here are the places we visited following the boat trip:
* Vishwanath Temple (the Golden Temple) - the most popular Hindu temple in Varanasi. Unfortunately, non-Hindu's are not allowed to enter the temple itself, but we had the pleasure of seeing the beautiful exterior and the joy of waiting in the "security line". I am being completely sarcastic with the latter, as this is the point where Phil went absolutely BALLISTIC on the trip! In line to this holy temple, a young boy reached into Phil's pant pocket and tried to steal his wallet. Naturally, Phil exploded on the teen and our tour guide got involved. Phil had the option of sending the boy to jail, but instead he just made a massive scene so that everyone else in line would protect their belongings!!!
* Benares Hindu University - Asia's largest university! This was an exciting part of the trip for me, as you know how much I love school! I couldn't believe how extensive the campus was - with a playing field for every residence and every type of faculty you can think of! We weren't able to go inside any of the buildings, but we did get to visit the New Vishwanath Temple, which is open to all religions. Inside, we made an offering to Lord Shiva (Lord of the Universe) and were blessed with a sign of spiritual devotion on our foreheads.
* The Town of Sarnath - the place where Buddha gave his very first sermon! Sarnath really appealed to us, since traveling and learning about Buddhism in Sri Lanka. We came here with a basic understanding of Buddhism and were able to review the life of the Buddha on the painted walls of the temple. The temple was not as colourful as the ones we saw in Sri Lanka, but it was still a great experience and we purchased some prayer beads to remember the occasion!
* THE STORE - named so because it had so many beautiful things inside that we could have spent hours just staring at the details and colours. Here, I purchased my very first sari (green, blue and pink!) and we also got a duvet cover for our bedroom (black and silver to match the current decor). Both are STUNNING.
* THE OTHER STORE - named so because it ALSO had so many beautiful things inside (haha). We picked up a wood carving of "Lord Ganesha" - Lord of success, knowledge and removal of obstacles. Ganesha is sitting happily in the living room with our Buddha from Sri Lanka.
Back at the hotel, we took the afternoon and evening to RELAX! We watched Independence Day, A Cinderella Story, ordered room service, and SLEPT! It was the perfect end to a great time in Varanasi (plus the rain held off until our touring was finished!).
Off to Agra - via train. BAHA. Just wait.
* Vishwanath Temple (the Golden Temple) - the most popular Hindu temple in Varanasi. Unfortunately, non-Hindu's are not allowed to enter the temple itself, but we had the pleasure of seeing the beautiful exterior and the joy of waiting in the "security line". I am being completely sarcastic with the latter, as this is the point where Phil went absolutely BALLISTIC on the trip! In line to this holy temple, a young boy reached into Phil's pant pocket and tried to steal his wallet. Naturally, Phil exploded on the teen and our tour guide got involved. Phil had the option of sending the boy to jail, but instead he just made a massive scene so that everyone else in line would protect their belongings!!!
* Benares Hindu University - Asia's largest university! This was an exciting part of the trip for me, as you know how much I love school! I couldn't believe how extensive the campus was - with a playing field for every residence and every type of faculty you can think of! We weren't able to go inside any of the buildings, but we did get to visit the New Vishwanath Temple, which is open to all religions. Inside, we made an offering to Lord Shiva (Lord of the Universe) and were blessed with a sign of spiritual devotion on our foreheads.
* The Town of Sarnath - the place where Buddha gave his very first sermon! Sarnath really appealed to us, since traveling and learning about Buddhism in Sri Lanka. We came here with a basic understanding of Buddhism and were able to review the life of the Buddha on the painted walls of the temple. The temple was not as colourful as the ones we saw in Sri Lanka, but it was still a great experience and we purchased some prayer beads to remember the occasion!
* THE STORE - named so because it had so many beautiful things inside that we could have spent hours just staring at the details and colours. Here, I purchased my very first sari (green, blue and pink!) and we also got a duvet cover for our bedroom (black and silver to match the current decor). Both are STUNNING.
* THE OTHER STORE - named so because it ALSO had so many beautiful things inside (haha). We picked up a wood carving of "Lord Ganesha" - Lord of success, knowledge and removal of obstacles. Ganesha is sitting happily in the living room with our Buddha from Sri Lanka.
Back at the hotel, we took the afternoon and evening to RELAX! We watched Independence Day, A Cinderella Story, ordered room service, and SLEPT! It was the perfect end to a great time in Varanasi (plus the rain held off until our touring was finished!).
Off to Agra - via train. BAHA. Just wait.
Classroom Honesty.
Student: Miss, you are my favourite teacher!
Me: (skeptical) This is what you tell me every single day...
Student: I know. But every other day I was lying. Today you wrote "WOWEEEEE!" on my paper!
Haha. We all had a good chuckle :)
Me: (skeptical) This is what you tell me every single day...
Student: I know. But every other day I was lying. Today you wrote "WOWEEEEE!" on my paper!
Haha. We all had a good chuckle :)
My Gym Buddy.
So maybe her new album is a wee bit "electronic" or......."computerized", but HEY - I've been with this lady since the Baby One More Time Tour. And if she motivates me to STAY STRONG and GO FASTER, what does it really matter? Those beats are like subtle kicks in the behind that keep me moving at the gym!!!
Thanks, Brit :)
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Another One Bites the Dust.
New strategy while watching Idol: don't pick favourites because they ALWAYS GET VOTED OFF! Yeesh. See ya, Paul! We'll be looking for your first album on iTunes!
Treat Thief.
Just before American Idol began.....
Lindsay: (happily) You know what? I'm going to have my FINAL piece of chocolate with my cup of tea!
Phil: (panicking) OH NO! HUNNY! I ate it.
Lindsay: (continues to walk to fridge) No you didn't. You're teasing me.
Phil: (feeling really horrible) NO.....REALLY. I DID. I AM SO SORRY!!!!!
Lindsay: WHAT?!!! YOU DID?!! PHIL - you know that is MY SPECIAL CHOCOLATE BAR. I've had that chocolate bar for three weeks and have a tiny piece every other day! YOU KNOW THAT! And you don't even like dark chocolate!
Phil: I know....but I saw it and I couldn't help myself!
Lindsay: Jeez. You have THREE of your own chocolate bars in the fridge!!!!
Phil: But yours looked better....
I better pay close attention to my easter eggs this month :)
Friday, April 15, 2011
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!!!
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!!!
If You Were Here for Tea....
We would talk about this:
1) Last night Phil made a delicious stir-fry that had KIWI'S in it!!! I promise it wasn't my idea! In fact, I wasn't even in the kitchen! He has become this creative cooking man and seems to have lost his fear of most fruits and vegetables! YAHOO!
2) Our new show is The Apprentice. We just finished watching Season 10 and are now into Season 9 (which is a celebrity edition). I wish we discovered this show earlier, because WE LOVE IT! Especially the current season, where each celeb is fighting for their own charities. I cry every episode when the celebrity delivers their big cheque to their charity in person. Ah - heart warming :)
3) Hockey playoffs have started! Although my team didn't make it, I am busy deciding which team to cheer for this year. My initial instinct was to cheer for Phoenix - out of love for their jersey and mascot - but then Phil informed me that they are playing against the Red Wings. I have good instincts, agreed?! Haha, just kidding. I better pick a new team, or else the next few months will be tough ones around the house!!! A little "Sure hun, GO DETROIT!" goes a far way some days :)
4) Is it really April 15th?! My goodness we are half-way through April!!! June will be here in a jiffy :)
5) More India posts to come this weekend.
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