Back in Varanasi

The train is 3 hours and 40 minutes late out of Varanasi, so we have some time to kill.
Varanasi is still magical. It sucks that we only had time enough to be there for a day, but it was still really nice. We stayed at the cheap place I stayed at before. Spending the day hanging out on the ghats and chillin was really nice. After dinner, we were walking back and there was a puga right above the water (a religious prayer/ceremony). The ceremony was so beautiful, incorporating ritualistic music, movement, and items such as fire, conch shells, water, flowers, peacock feathers, and ash. We sat down with the Indian audience automatically becoming part of this religious offering and ritual. We were given candles to light and passed our flame to the 10 tiered bronze candle 'holder' (for lack of a better word). The Baba (holy man) came to each of us with his lit oil lamp, which we then circled our hands over and brought to our heads and faces. Then we were given flowers and leaves. Once the prayers on the stage reached it's climax we all went down to the Ganges and threw our gifts into the river as an offering to the gods. Many people proceeded to wash themselves in the river and drink the water, but I didn't get past washing my arms and putting some water on my head. Then the music continued, this time with everyone singing and dancing and clapping. People were looking at us like we were these nuts white people trying to fit in, but it was really cool.
It was nice to be here with TJ for many reasons. One of the reasons is being here alone I didn't get to experience late night rituals, as it was dark and unsafe.
Very special to be a part of that.

We shall get to Gaya today, where the tree of Buddha's enlightenment stands, and then we leave tomorrow for Darjeeling.
I won't lie, I am excited to get to one place and chill for a while......not having to get on a train every day.

Though tiring, trains are a great way to jet across and see a lot of things.