Varanassi was the most amazing experience. Varanassi is one of the oldest living cities (it is approximately 5000 years old). Being there felt like magic. We happened to have been there at the time of a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, and so we saw many pilgrims who had traveled barefoot to the Ganges River, which is believed to have been adopted by Lord Shiva. There were far more pilgrims than tourists. In fact, we met no Americans the entire time! We were able to witness ceremonies of cleansing and cremations. Additionally, we watched a Hindu ceremony preformed by five Brahmans giving thanks to the Mother Ganges.
Our tour guide's father just so happened to be good friends with one of Barbara's friends in NYC. He is a professor of Indian literature and philosophy. We were invited back to his father's house for breakfast, where he gave us signed copies of a book which he had written about the history of Varanassi as a holy city. What a small world it can be!
We landed in Bhutan yesterday afternoon. We were able to see Mount Everest from the airplane. It is so gigantic that it literally stuck up from above the clouds.
Bhutan surpasses any expectations that we could have had. The people are so genuinely open and happy. Everybody wants to have their photograph taken, and they laugh when we show them the result. We've encountered a number of monks, including one who lived at a temple we visited. We trekked in high altitudes over difficult terrain for hours.
Needless to say, this trip has been quite the experience! We have so much more to say and wish that we could show you the photos, but the Internet here in Bhutan is quite slow (and the electricity in this part of the world has the tendency to go out without any notice).
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