Arriving to Varanasi was a whole adventure. We took the train in India for the first time. What a nightmare! The train was announced to be delayed for 3 hours and then, after 2 hours, it was cancelled. At the train station we couldn't get any refund or information about when could it be the next train. They kept sending us from one place to another without any solution. Eventually, we ended up in the Agra main station where we met a group of other backpackers in the same situation. After a few hours in that station, we took a train that was going to Varanasi but wasn't our train!! When the ticket inspector saw us he sent us to the last coach. Impossible to explain! Hundreds of people in a coach for fifty as max. and of course, without air conditioner. We slept on the floor over our bags. For us it was a hard trip but if you think about it is their usual life.
Fortunately for us, we live this experience just when we travel like this but here you realise of the situation of this country.
When we finally arrived to Varanasi we were exhausted and it was terribly hot: so we went to the hostel straight away.
We have been in this city for three days and we have seen its rituals, monuments, markets , streets as well as we have seen the sunrise from the Ganges. Amazing!
Ganges is for them a very special river and the water has spiritual sense. Is in this river where lots of indian come to die and, as we explained, it is also used for daily task as washing clothes, washing themselves or even to get swiming lessons! :-)
The riverside is comprised of "ghats" (steps torward the river) and each of them is used for different activities. Our hostel was just in front of a burning ghat where they have the burial ceremonies. It is interesting to see it as it is very different to our own culture.
In general, our trip around India has been very interesting and intense. We have found a country with a diverse society and landscape. It is very contradictory to see here the high luxury and then the more extreme misery. Travelling around India is not easy, and more difficult when you are a woman. However, it is worthy as you see how they really live. About the people, we have seen that even in the circumstancies that they live, they are very positive and kind but often, the need makes them to harass tourists trying to sell or take benefit of whatever they can. India leaves us an unforgetable experience and lots of friends!
Our Ithaka continues around Nepal.
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