Varanasi

We are in Varanasi. It takes dirty to a whole new level. Bombay is overwhelming and sweaty, the Everest trek was not exactly littered with comforts but here there are bodies burning by the river, bodies being carried through town, bodies being washed in the Ganges while cows and goats hang out, eating a concoction that is half human and animal shit and the other half just regular garbage like chicken bones, potato peels and plastic bags. In the midst of all the shit, people are praying and the Ganges, filthy with dead fish, more garbage has mourners dipping in between all that mess, tasting the river on their tongues, then going for a swim. Kids are diving in, laughing, oblivious to the mourners. That is if they are not busy catching giant dying fish with scarfs and tarps straight out of the water. I'd say this is the most 'Indian' and insane place we have yet seen. People are crouching down in all of is, stuffing food into their mouths from their dirty hands. Impromptu crickets matches make you run for cover. I am amazed what filth humanity can survive in.

I literally feel sick just looking at it.

Also we just managed to get out of Kathmandu before major riots started over fuel prices. There had been lots of strikes and general tension but on the way we left it all came to a head. "No going to airport today" we were told. We did manage to get there though despite the fact that everything was shut down. The streets were full of people walking, with what seemed a purpose, at 8am, no taxis or public transport but lots of anger mounting. One cab dude said, ok, fine, I take you, but we got to go right now. Apparently they get pulled out of the cabs and get their asses kicked if they break the strike. So we sat around the airport for 8 hrs, then our plane miraculously showed up, a huge airbus. There were only 8 passengers who had made it to the airport. Well, here we are.