need a "handler" in varanasi
 

we think we might need someone to handle us during our 3 day visit to varanasi.

i can't call this person a guide really, although part of their function would be to show us around town..... but more we need someone to cut through the redtape and annoyances (some would call charm) of varanasi for us.

this person would negotiate a boat for us when needed, show us to a great lunch place, take us to tiny interesting shops, explain the cremation process---in short make life easy for us....

what we want is a combo of Tong/Craig/Kathie/Dogster/Hanuman/Ratt/JamesA all rolled into one for about $10 per day (just kidding on price).

Any suggestions?

If you pay for my flight I will help you (lol)

[email protected]

[email protected]

couple of good ones usually but in the past do it

boots on the ground through my hotel cheaper in past.

www.indiamike.com great info on this...

Happy Travels,

qw-- i have contacted both, thanks

i have heard back quickly from both...

can you tell me a bit more about how you know about each and if you have had personal experiences with both or either...

thanks

ttt for qv

Here's my guide to Varanasi:

Find the water. On one side is sand - on the other side are buildings. Stay on the side with buildings. Some people call those steps ghats.

Set your mind in neutral. That shouldn't be too hard.

Turn left or turn right.
Walk.
Stop. Look. Listen.
Walk.
Stop. Sit. Look. Listen.
Walk some more.
When you get tired, turn around and walk back.
The next day, go back to the same place and walk in the other direction.
Repeat previous instructions.
You will find your guide. Many, in fact.

That will be absolutely sufficient.

Do not fall in the water.

As there are no good restaurants in Varanasi, just many average ones, your meals will be easy.

If you are truly so foolish as to go shopping you deserve everything that those pitiless Varanazians throw at you. lol lol lol.

Bob my last experience there was during a Bhuddist footsteps tour years ago my best reco is that I paid less than $10/da
including tip for a guide through my hotel.

indiamike.com recos www.groovyganges.org as the best currently

Personally usually rely on them for current info.

Generally find I can do guides LOTS cheaper boots on the

ground there is a cool funny movie about this called

"Outsourced" describes the situation over there very well

Good luck PM if I may help further...

www.khoj.com/outsourced+movie/1.html

great funny movie to check out for a heads up

Qwovadis, as usual, you are great source of info.
thanks for mention of "groovy ganges"--very interesting man and website!!

Bob, I'll tell you our experience in Varanasi, we walked out of the airport and ignored the taxi counter as we had been told to do, turned left and found the cheaper taxi couner, then paid, got the voucher, got the taxi and also got Krishna who was sitting in the front with the driver and said he would be our guide for the next 2 days if we wished for a fee that would be at our discretion, he did prove to be useful and organised the sunrise boat trip and accompanied us for the full day Varanasi visit and also our trip to Sarnath which we did before our night train to Agra, we kept the same taxi for the 2 days ,along with Krishna and all in all taxi plus Krishna cost 1000 rupees which my husband decided together with Krishna at the end of our journey. Now, as dogster says you can easily do the river trip, Varanasi visit on your own and get a car to Sarnath but I understand how you feel, it's easy to see that once you've been but before you get there it all seems daunting, we had decided to do it on our own but with Krishna handing himself on a plate to us it was just too tempting to pass up and we would do the same again.Anyway as I understand it there's a Krishna in every taxi that you take from the taxi place to the left as you exit the airport so it won't be you choosing the guide but the guide choosing you.

thanks for that great info...

i have recently learned that arvind, from castle and king, insists that i use his guide and driver during our time in varanasi, at no additional cost from him...

can't beat that...