A god dinner is indeed appropriate for Varanasi, though I wonder about the beer.

looking forward to more

Continued our exploring today in Varanasi, walking the narrow alleyways, ghats and markets where we are beginning to recognize many of the people living here and they are recognizing us. It is uncanny how word spreads around and the locals learn where you are staying and what they perceive you can afford to buy.

It's difficult to discern at times when one is being friendly and kind, or whether there is an alternative to their chattiness...that being to ask for money or to take us to their shop. Nevertheless we have enjoyed our interactions with the local people and find it endearing when some merely are as curious about us as we are about them. I love offering to be in photographs of local Indians who I see trying to take my picture. As anywhere when traveling, a smile goes a long way.

This town, this time if year is a three shirt/three shower kind of day. It's awfully hot and draining. We took a bicycle rickshaw out to the monkey temple and I was afraid the driver would keel over and die. At one point he had to pull over and we insisted he rest. The temple does not allow cameras or cell phone, is quite dirty and not really worth it, but we enjoyed the ride far note than our driver! We also stopped at a durga temple which was quite nice.

As an aside, today's local paper reported that the taj mahal is in danger of crumbling. Last year cracks were discovered and the four pillars are leaning over. Better to get here sooner than later!

We are enjoying our room much more now with the "less hard" bed and the location and restaurant are great, however, this morning my DH asked me if we had someone sharing our bathroom as we heard them showering in the next room.

Tonight we plan to visit the ghats again by boat and then we are off early in the morning to Delhi. We are taking kingfisher airlines and learned this morning that they are having great financial difficulties and that 75 of their pilots have quit. Evidentally our flight had been cancelled at one point as the airline emailed us yesterday that the flight was reinstated. Travelers beware.

Great report from Varanasi. Shame about Kingfisher - its a really wonderful airline.

Thanks Craig. Hopefully we fly out without a hitch as we don't want to get into our limited Delhi time.

Great hearing about Palace on the River again. We loved it, hard mattress and all, and agree that the food there was wonderful. I dont think we ate any where else when we were there. Looking forward to hearing more.

i am now watching kingfisher...

We were scheduled on kingfisher's flight at 11:50 and learned the night before that it was leaving at 12:30. As we taxied down the runway the pilot discovered mechanical problems and we returned and sat on the plane two hours prior to finally taking off. of course this could have happened on any airline. The staff was very good and the eats comfortable with decent leg room. We were surprised that sandwiches were served - veggie or chicken. The chicken was decent.

More on Delhi later.

just curious---did they fix the mechanical problems?

Bob - only a few bruises from the crash. You ate safe to fly.

That would be safe to fly.

i wasn't sure after you said you just sat on the runway...

Not awoll...just recovering from a last moment departing gift from India - Delhi belly. Our last meal was at karims, recommended by many and delicious, but I believe deadly. More later when I feel better.

Oh no! So sorry to hear that. Another case of an upmarket place proving more dangerous than the cheaper?

At least you made it safely back home a couple of days ago, right? Hope you feel better soon.

Made it back home on time and starting to feel better. Hope the ladies who we shared the table with didn't get sick too as I offered them a portion of our food.

Hi, dgunbug! Somehow I missed this thread earlier. Glad you're home and sounds like you had a great time. Can't wait to hear more!

what did you eat?

Sorry bob, don't remember the name of the foods. One was minced lamb shish kabob, a butter chicken and another chicken dish along with naan. As much as I enjoyed the food throughout the trip, at this point the thought of eating Indian food turns my stomach. Then again most food is turning my stomach still.

So many wonderful memories of Varanasi and our month in India. We were there 3 years ago. I miss it so much!! I have to go back.