01/01/2014

New day and a new year. There was a nice pleasant atmosphere on the train. The train was also two hours late. Normally I'd be handing out the door at every stop to make sure I hadn't passed my stop, but since I was with lots of other tourists I just decided to chill and go with the flow… we obviously hadn't arrived yet.

Got tuk tuk to the place and paid 'local price'… apparently. I knew we hadn't but I could be bothered to argue in front of Nofi and Amier for the sake of 10-15 rs each. We walked down all the back streets and eventually found rajasthan guesthouse, a very small door in the side of the street. I would have never found it otherwise. Got a room for 100rs. Beat Lawrence. Me and him have competitions how cheap we can find things lol.

Met this Mexican kid whilst I was on the roof top, flying a kite, who was only 7 years old. Man couldn't believe it!!!! He was so mature, and spoke perfect English. God knows what I was doing or was like when I was 7.

Later on me and Norfi went for some food, got a 40rs awesome thali from a reasturent rammed with locals in the lowest ceiling room id ever been in. My head was almost scraping off the top. The room was also smokey for some reason. Real India. After we went for an explore along the ghats. Norfi said hello to many people, she was here for 2 months one month ago, and seemed to know everyone. En route we seen everyone hanging out on the ghats, washing in the ganges, and taking boats up and down the river etc. we all passed a buring ghat and seen a few bodies getting cremated. Was mad to think inside the wrapped up cloth would have been a body, but was just now roasting away on a log fire. Everyone says there's no place like Varanasi in the world and they aren't wrong. The streets were also rammed due to it being NY day. There was a massive queue which spanned a whole street, everyone had flowers and some milky liquid of some sort, waiting to get in some backstreet temple thing.

After we went to Blue Lassi, a place which sells lassis. Basically yoghurt in a teaport with any flavours and fruits you want. The place was rammed with tourists and every seat was taken. I blew the hinges off a banana and coffee one! Was such a good choice. And I wished I got two.

Later on me and Norfi and Amier went to see the pooja down by the main ghat, and bumped into some other Israelis who were also at the guesthouse. The ceremony involved some geezers in fancy dress on little stands waving scented stuff about before waving this thing on fire, all to this funky music. Was a bit tedious but was interesting none the less. Later on we got a chai. As per the chai makers often pour a small amount into their palm, then throw it into their mouths to check for quality. Later on found a little mouse scurrying across my room. Later on it woke me up rustling in a biscuit packet.

02/01/2013

Had a chilled day. Read a few chapters of 'the girl with the dragon tattoo'. Such a good book so far. Washed some of my kit as well. Bought train tickets for my exit from India. The guy tried to rip me off by charging me tatkal price, which is the emergency price, despite there being availability. Got the fella told when I went to pick the tickets and instantly gave me a discount. Shock. Im honestly such an expert on all things India now. Nothing can trip me up or scam me now. Later on had a really good craic on with this other Israeli dude, who oddly knew a lot about Sunderland and its footy team. Knew Sunderland was by the coast and had shipbuilding. Haha I was laughing. Also met a great guy called Pablo, from Brazil, who had been to over 60 countries. We chatted about cultures and he was very intelligent. He was making home made pasta and he gave me some. Was so nice to have something other than curry.

03/01/2014

Went on a boat ride for 50rs for half an hour down the river Gangees, with 'Baba the boatman' and old OAP. Later on on the night the crew of south Americans were buskers were having a jam, one on the flute and one on the sitar. Theyre such big instruments! Turns out this was how they funded their trip, and were real nice people. They were also buying Indian stuff here and selling back home for a small profit. Talked all night with the Israelis and learnt so much about Israel, Judaism and the Arab world and was so insightful. Also learnt about the Jewish kibbutz way of living, a community approach where everyone supports each other and also ensuring all the money and commerce stays within than community. Travelling is so awesome and I'm so privileged to have this opportunity to meet people like this and learn of their cultures.

04/01/2014

Tried different thali place for a change, this time with refill! Awesome. For 40rs its such a mega meal. Honestly so amazing. Makes no fiscal sense why you would chose any other meal. For example getting a curry is a 120rs+ and then you have to order your rice too, with plain rice being around 40rs. Yet you can get an awesome meal with lots of little dishes for a fraction of this. Haha this time in the thali shop there was a fight; was randomly gobbling away when the chef had a bust up with a waiter, yet no sounds or crys were made, a pure silent fight. At one point the waiter got a big ladle donked off his nut and was bleeding. Haha only in India. Got train on night.