Suresh can make it however you'd like. Chai, coffee, a fresh lime soda- sweet or salty, cold or hot, and always with a smile. He's from Nepal, and lives upstairs. The first time he met his wife was at their wedding, and she lives in Nepal. He sees her from time to time. He's definately a highlite of staying in India.

The monsoon rains have passed for this year, but on one occasion, we watched these 2 bucket fill to this level in 30 minutes. Amber and I enjoy a visit to the shopping center from time to time. Last week, some Indian actress came to do a promotion, and the security guards blocked off the food court. Most of our party accepted this defeat and began walking to another resturant. However, Justin and I held out, demanding our rights as consumers and hungry souls. We barked for about 3 minutes, demanding to see the manager. Mr. Security Guard relented, and we had our dinner :)

Varinder Pal Singh is holding an unnamed flower, the kind that love monsoon rains.

Welcome to the flooded western bank of the Ganges, in Varanasi. This place is considered to be among the holiest in Hinduism. Unfortunately, the amount of waste and debris deposited in this river leave it completely septic; there is no oxygen in this river as it flows away from here.


The "Ghats" are a long series of steps leading into the river. Aside from offering daily prayers here, it is customary to bath, drink, and render the ashes of the deceased persons into the flow.
An early morning "puja" along the Ghats
The "Aarti" is a nightly ritual which people come out to offer floating candles to the river, and to motion flames in such a way as to ward off evil spirits. We paid a few dollars to watch the Aarti from a boat. A young boy is selling floating candles for a few ruppees.Bathing at dawn.
The beautiful Ganges River at dawn.

More to come..............................