Don't they know I'm allergic to Red Dye #5?

Don't they know I'm allergic to Red Dye #5?

Varanasi is the dictionary definition of a CLUSTERF**K.

If I were to choose a highlight (or lowlight) of the entire trip, I would say the sheer madness that is Varanasi would be it.

The sights, the sounds, the SMELLS. Everything coming at you at once; a complete sensory assault!

One day there felt like a month. I’m exhausted just typing about it.

We were there only a few days, to witness the morning and evening prayer ceremonies along the banks of the Ganges river and basically avoid touching or eating anything.

For this section of the trip, I’ll let the pictures (and captions) do the talking. I sure wish I could attach a few smells to this blog…

The Official Beer of India. Bottled at the Source (the Ganges)

The Official Beer of India. Bottled at the Source (the Ganges)

Our first buffet in India - The peas/spinach/mint were pretty good. The sweet and sour chix? Uh..they got the sour part right!

Our first buffet in India - The peas/spinach/mint were pretty good. The sweet and sour chix? Uh..they got the sour part right!

The locals enjoying a fresh, diverse buffet.

The locals enjoying a fresh, diverse buffet.

I'm just a cow, chillin'. Looking for love...in all the wrong places.

I'm just a cow, chillin'. Looking for love...in all the wrong places.

These are left around for good luck. They're also a good Curry starter kit.

These are left around for good luck. They're also a good Curry starter kit.

Kids selling flowers and candles for prayers. Slumdog Millionaires in training.

Kids selling flowers and candles for prayers. Slumdog Millionaires in training.

The candle I lit for my Grandmother

The candle I lit for my Grandmother

We crawled into boats on the Ganges to watch the morning prayers.

We crawled into boats on the Ganges to watch the morning prayers.

India 2010 171

The ancient temples along the river banks are called Ghats.

The ancient temples along the river banks are called Ghats.

Bathtime! The Ganges is 97% Feces, which means great for the complexion as well as population control.

Bathtime! The Ganges is 97% Feces, which means great for the complexion as well as population control.

India 2010 183

A little YOGA at the butt crack of dawn.

A little YOGA at the butt crack of dawn.

Buddhist monks against a Ganges sunrise.

Buddhist monks against a Ganges sunrise.

Escape from Varanasi! I felt very Indiana Jones.

Escape from Varanasi! I felt very Indiana Jones.

A random shrine whils<img loading=

In India, you can find a buffet anywhere! It's better than Vegas!

In India, you can find a buffet anywhere! It's better than Vegas!

A random shrine whilst wandering the streets...

Holy Man (a fake one) but I paid him handsomely for his time (50 cents) The woman behind was pissed.

Holy Man (a fake one) but I paid him handsomely for his time (50 cents) The woman behind was pissed.

Our usual breakfast. Masala omelette! They're egg yolks look like egg whites. Hmm...

Our usual breakfast. Masala omelette! They're egg yolks look like egg whites. Hmm...

The spot where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon.

The spot where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon.

India 2010 223

India 2010 225

The Bodhi Tree where Buddha first acheived enlightenment. (The original is gone but this one was propogated from the original)

The Bodhi Tree where Buddha first acheived enlightenment. (The original is gone but this one was propogated from the original)

Your typical India rush hour. Life and limb, always at risk.

Your typical India rush hour. Life and limb, always at risk.

Just imagine the smells.....

Just imagine the smells.....

Varanasi Nightlife. Hold onto your wallets. And your internal organs.

Varanasi Nightlife. Hold onto your wallets. And your internal organs.

Walking to the Ganges for the nighttime prayer ceremony. Weren't we just here? The craziest street on the planet.

Walking to the Ganges for the nighttime prayer ceremony. Weren't we just here? The craziest street on the planet.

Some lovely haut couture for the Hindi fashionista in us all.

Some lovely haut couture for the Hindi fashionista in us all.

Nighttime prayer ceremonies

Nighttime prayer ceremonies

Chicken Tikka Masala, so good! The only time I ate meat and did NOT regret it.

Chicken Tikka Masala, so good! The only time I ate meat and did NOT regret it.