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I can not believe how quickly time passes. It has been 1 whole year since I left for India where I spent an entire month in a small rural city called Faridabad. I worked in a medical clinic there that gave care to under served slums in the area. It was an eye opening experience to the way of life for millions of people. While I was there I was able to take weekend trips to Agra, Jaipur, and Varanasi.

The whole country of India is an eye opening experience. To be honest India was a very rough place to be for me in a lot of ways. The food was different, the country was dirty and smelly, people were pushy and always wanted money, not to mention the heat upwards of 110 degrees Fahrenheit with out any AC to speak of.

But there is another side of India, one I now feel an increased closeness to. The colors in this country are unlike any other I have ever seen. There is so much vibrancy and joy. Bollywood is amazing! The movie “Vera Dee Wedding” was hilarious even with only subtitles. Not to mention the dancing.

The people are kind and welcoming when you work with them and know their personal lives. They build amazing temples and have delicious foods like naan and curry. So despite its difficulties I do love India very much and I love its people. I hope to go back someday in the not too distant future and take Robin with me so I can show him around.

Places to Visit in India

So while in India the other volunteers and I would take weekend trips to different cities throughout the country. The first weekend we went to the first city of the golden triangle: Agra. This is where the Taj Mahal is and let me tell you, that is basically all there is to do there. No blog post needed.

The next weekend we went to Jaipur, India. The Pink City is gorgeous and there are so many fun things to do and see there. In addition to the normal things to do in this city I recommend adding Panna Meena Ka Kund to your must see list. This water well is amazing! I have an entire blog post on the city that is definitely a must read.

The third weekend we took the train to Varanasi, a hugely religious city in India and the focus of todays post!

Finally, my last weekend in India I explored Delhi itself. That will have to be in a future blog post. Delhi is a huge city with so much to do and I didn’t even get to do it all!

Getting To Varanasi

So you might be coming from different places but there are a few different options. You can fly, for only around $100 USD from Delhi. Another option is to drive but depending on where you’re coming from this may not be a realistic option. I think it is way too far to drive from Delhi to Varanasi but perhaps it isn’t as far from where you’re coming from. Lastly you can take the train.

My friend and I took the train, we bought tickets for AC 2nd class on the way there and AC 3rd class on the way back (they were sold out of the 2nd class). AC means air conditioning and it was heavenly. I think the tickets were around $30 USD round trip but my dog ate that part of my journal so I can’t say for sure lol.

I didn’t mind the train, you get your own bed and there are lights to read by. However, I personally wouldn’t go alone because the trains are fairly crowded and there aren’t any locks or doors or anything for privacy. Its always good to travel with others when possible for added security. They also don’t provide food but they do have a food car you can visit to buy food but then you have to leave your belongings. So bring food or take turns getting food so that someone can watch your belongings.

What to do in Varanasi

These are all my favorite things that we got to do and see while in Varanasi.

Get on a boat on the Ganges River

We went out twice! Once at sunset to watch the sunset ceremony and then again to watch the sunrise. It was an early morning but it was really cool to watch the city and the river come to life as the city woke up. The Ganges River is sacred to the Indian people and she provides them with healing and life.

It is also completely and totally unsanitary. Everyone baths in the river, and dead bodies (human and animal) are dumped in the river, and so many other reasons I, for one, would not swim in it and people really shouldn’t be drinking the water. So perhaps you won’t be swimming in it but you should definitely rent a boat from a local, they row for you, and see the city from a different point of view.

Go to a Flower Market

You know the gorgeous flowers you see covering al the statues and enclaves for their gods? Well they have to come from somewhere! There are whole little markets set up where these flowers are put together on string and sold. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever seen so many flowers in one place.

Related Posts:

• An Exciting Weekend in Jaipur, India
• Vacationing in Bali, Indonesia

Walk the Street Markets

This goes for just about any city ever, but there is a huge market with tons of vendors. Pashmina scarves, jewelry, souvenirs and spices just to name a few items.

It can be so fun to walk and shop. The markets have so many colors and smells it is always an adventure. I personally think it should be done in pairs just to be safe. The market is busy and crowded so just be safe!

Go to a Sunset or Sunrise Ritual

There is a ceremony or ritual that is performed every morning and evening at sunrise and sunset. The sunrise ceremony is performed next to the river beside the first Ghat (temple) the sunset ritual is performed at the last Ghat.

Both are special and unique but I preferred the sunrise ceremony. There were less people, we could sit closer to the ceremony to observe. I love learning and experiencing other cultures so this was really cool to watch.

The Sunset ceremony is more like a party, many people including us watch from boats. Which is nice but you are much further away and I couldn’t really see what was going on.

View the Funeral Pyre

There is a Burning Ghat in Varanasi where they burn the dead using funeral pyres. You can go and see them and someone will walk you around and tell you all about their funeral traditions. You can’t take any pictures because it is sacred.

This is another really cool cultural experience. And very different from funerals in America. Just two warnings before you go:

1: It is HOT with all the funeral pyres burning, especially in the summer. It also smells so it can be easy to get nauseous. So make sure you have water with you and that you’re drinking it regularly. Don’t be afraid to stop for a second if you need to.

2: It is FREE to be shown around but when they are done showing you around they will ask for donations to help poor families buy wood for their funeral pyre. They will ask you for an outrageous amount of money by telling you that it costs upwards of 500 rupees for one flat of wood. It doesn’. That is the white man’s cost, it costs a local only 30 rupees. Give what you’re comfortable with and don’t let them pressure you into more. The man that showed us around got very pushy, to the point I had to raise my voice to get him to stop. Tell them they can take what you’re offering or you’ll leave and they’ll get nothing.

Hopefully that is helpful.

Get a Lassi at Blue Lassi

A lassi is a drinkable yogurt mixed with fruit, kind of like a danibles for adults. The mango one was very good! All the other flavors that my friends had looked delicious too. They serve them too you in giant clay mugs that are one time use. So yummy!

Visiting Varanasi, India and Beyond

We only had one weekend to be in Varanasi minus travel time as well (the train ride was around 12 hours I believe) but I really enjoyed the time we did have there.

This city is famously featured in the book “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. Italy is eat, India is Pray, and Indonesia is Love. I think I really need to read this book, and just checked the book out from the library actually, because by the end of this year I will have been to all three places in a row. Last year I visited India and Indonesia (check out our AMAZING experience!) and this year in October we are visiting ITALY!!! I am so excited.

I need all the recommendations for what to do and see, what to eat, what to pack, and all your other Italy travel tips! We will be there for two weeks. Leave your recommendations in the comments or DM me on Instagram.