My biggest problem was that it was a third class cart, not second like promised by our tour guide and company. God bless them!
Second problem with this train ride was that it had three bunks, not two, on each side, and thirdly, and most importantly, I got shafted. In a democratic country, usually you get to vote and decide who sleeps where but didn't happen and I – who suffers from claustrophobia – got stuck in the middle bunk which was so close to me face that shallow breathing was the only way to get through a train ride. And being five foot, six-ish, and the bed being five foot made it a little bit uncomfortable... just a little.
I didn't sleep at all as my feet kept getting bashed by people walking past and the door slamming on my feet, and anytime I would bring my legs up, back spasms occurred... so no sleep for me. No sleeping, does not make me a happy person. Makes me very angry, angry person. Whatever! Move on. P.S I am writing this entry in past tense (my back spasms have come and gone)... but at the time you know how you feel and that's what comes out.
I couldn't really because the back spasms kept coming for the next three days, making it very difficult to manoeuvre around and check out the sights of Varanasi and Sarnath.
So a little bit on Varanasi … its one of India's seven holiest cities and sits on the River Ganges, and is apparently the oldest city in the world. That's about it. There is more but then there is always more.
So we get on a rickshaw and make our way towards the evening prayer ceremony on the banks of the Holy River Ganges. The ride through Varanasi is a trip all on it own. Our driver/ride manoeuvre his way through the bloody busy traffic of the city, weaving his way through, while I held on tight to the small metal bar on the side of the vehicle, the only thing I can hold on to. It was fantastic.
After he stops at the steps through the market. We wander through and sit overlooking the ceremony where six men dressed in Hindu priest clothing (maroon and orange) pray to the gurus with incense, candles and song. Its quite impressive. Everyone is humming and chatting along.
The spot where I was standing was the same place where a terrorist bomb exploded and killed several people. Yeah that's a little bit of detail you want to hear! We get to watch the prayer ceremony before we head back to the hotel but not before walking into a dark alleyway, with no lighting and a little bit of fear. We stood in the middle of a square, filled with rickshaws, drivers and no real idea what the hell we were doing in there.
After getting the hell out of there we go to bed only to wake up yet again at 6.30am for our ride on the River Ganges. People use the Ganges for all sort of things, some burn/cremate their loved ones, others jump into the water to bless themselves, other mediate, while the rest wash their clothes. Its black, muddy, and sludgy but there is nothing like it in Australia.
The only issue I have with tours is the shitty part where you are forced to go to a factory. God damn it! The thing is it happpens on every tour. They deliver you to a place where the tour guide makes a commission if you buy something. I buy nothing. Its always cheaper elsewhere. Always is. I didnt buy anything from the marble factory, the carpet factory, the jewellery high end factory store, and the silk factory. I wish they wouldn't do it but what can you do! I know everyone else hated it but I only expected it and enjoyed the ride. You smile, nod and be polite, just the way your parents taught you. No point in being rude, moody and out right offensive. Carpet factory was pretty good....
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