Spirits
Trip Start
Aug 23, 1996
1
214
451
Trip End
Ongoing
Varanasi,
India
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Once in Varanasi, we were spotted by some rickshaw touts. We told them to fuck off and leave us alone. Lucy rang our hotel and they said they would pick us up in 5. Minutes, not hours. About 45 later, a guy arrived and we jumped into a rickshaw. 10 minutes later, we were stuck in a traffic jam and were told we had to walk. We were also told to pay 50 Rupees. I told him to fuck off and I would give him 30 or nothing. Nothing was the price for the moment. 25 minutes later, we arrived, grabbed our room, but Frog the Irishman had not arrived. So we went exploring. We were walking through some alleys, when some people singing, and they were also carrying a body. We gave chase, but was overtaken by another group carrying a body. Once down at the water, there were loads of them on fire. Being part Jewish, it was quite relaxing watching these bodies burn, but all could think of was did they start by burning books first !!! We watched it for ages, then went back to the hotel. 9 hours late, Frog's train turned up. We explained about the burnings and how you could see the skin bubbling and skulls showing, we went back for a look. He was enjoying it as well. After a while, we had tea, well, 5 cups each as they are the size of a thimble, and that was the first day done
Up early, we went back to watch the burning again. Amazingly, depending on how much you pay, the more money, the better or more wood is used !!! We walked further on and found Jantar Mantar. Being tight in Delhi, we refused to pay the $2.00, but this time, the three of us went in. We were taken on a small tour of the building first, and then onto the roof to see this giant observatory. There was a huge sundial, which was meant to be right, but to Frog and m, it was 10 minutes fast. Frog decided to try and move it and correct the time. The guide freaked. It was made of concrete so it was impossible !!! The guide was carrying a stick, and we asked why. He explained it was for the monkeys. I grabbed the stick, and everytime I saw an Indian, I went to poke them. Frog explained that I was crazy and had not taken my medication this morning !!! We went higher until we were three stories up. Frog and the guide on one side, with a little gap. I decided to walk along the little gap. The guide went to take my hand. I told him that I would jump if he touched me !!! He ran, screaming. Lucy was keeping away, as she was disgusted with our performance. We were also asked if we wanted a boat to go on the river. Frog explained that you need a goat to go onto the river and a boat was something that you had sex with !!! So we ran around making baa sounds and saying we wanted to fuck boats !!! Lucy was now really not impressed, so we finished up by doing a Banzai Mr Shakey on him and shaking his hands for the next 5 minutes. Onwards we went. Looking at all the old ghats along the river, but there was only one place to be, and that was where the burning was taking place, so we returned for another watching, followed by more tea.
Up even earlier, we met a couple of Swedes called Erica and Henrik, and we hired a goat/boat, to watch the sun come up on the river Ganges. It was pretty impressive and we got to see the bodies burning from the river. A different perspective, but still enjoyable !!! After an hour or so, going up and down, we went for tea and then more watching of the burnings !!! Frog had to leave, so we said goodbye to another Irishman, and walked around on our own. As the day grew closer to ending, we knew we would have to settle up as we had to leave and go to Nepal. Lucy would not let me do this as she needed to talk about the non-payment of the rickshaw. She sent me to get some water. Now, as you walk around Varanasi, people always offer you hash, and I was getting pretty sick of it, so I decided to take some action. This guy cam up and asked me if he could ask one question. I told him that if he was going to offer me hash, I was going to beat the fuck out of him !!! His friend, sensing that he still wanted a friend, said that he had no question ask me. On the way back, the boys all dispersed and kept their distance from me. Once back at the hotel, Lucy was having a slightly heated conversation about the rickshaw. Basically, the woman gave in and we did not have to pay for the crap service !!! Lucy did try to give her some money, but she refused to take it !!! Oh well
Varanasi, was not a bad place, but way to many hash dealers for my liking. We will be going back, but only for the bodies !!!
