After waking up at the crack of dawn and quenching our thirst, we went back to the hotel to rest. No sooner did we get back, than we found Krishna leaning in our doorway, at 7:30. He clapped his hands emphatically and reveled about the night we had. Ready to go for the new day, he urged us to get ready for day numero 2. Clearly, this man was on a mission from god... to get as much of our money as he can.
Krishna finally leaves and we finish getting our things together. I repack my Ronald McDonald plates, a present from Hafer's attic. Nice... although the fate of one of the plates is sealed later in this trip. Stepping outside on the balcony, we found that most of the tourist boats had docked and there were only a few people left bathing in the river. We saw Krishna being all buddy buddy with the hotel owner. Seriously, this guy new everyone is Varanasi.
After booking the trains for the rest of the trip, we left with Krishna to get breakfast. Today, Krishna had a sidekick who would watch our bags while we were in the restaurant. Honestly, I don't think anyone can feel comfortable when leaving your bag in Varanasi. After Krishna reassured that nothing would happen, we reluctantly left our bags to the whim of the India. Breakfast was quite good and we had some new things to entertain our palette. One funny thing happened when I ordered toast... I was quite hungry since we didn't eat much last night. Krishna, instantly changed the tone in his voice, questioned my choice, and asked why I don't trust his decision. Who the hell is this guy? I guess Indians get pissed when they can't order for you...
We left for the Monkey Temple and I still felt like choking Krishna. This was clearly a very religious place experience the fear of religion inside. No items were allowed to be taken inside since there was a bombing by Pakistanis, India's arch nemesis. On a more interesting note, Pakistan is known as Fuckistan to Indians. Back to temple, the walkway into the complex had dozens of monkeys chasing each other. We had to take off our shoes and give them to this haggard looking dude who, in return, gave us a numbered token. And thus, we began our transcendental religious experience.
There were various idols or holy objects scattered around inside the complex which we systematically visited. Touch the holy tree, bow at the picture at some dead guy, rub your hand against the wall as you go around the building. These objects were nearly smeared black with other people's nasty fingers. But when in Rome, touch the dirty wall... We got to the point were this thick bright orange paint looked like it was just oozing out of the walls. I'm not sure if people smeared it there or it magically originated from here. Krishna took the liberty to dab his finger in it and put dots on our heads... this was probably the beginning of people getting extremely pissed at us.
We moved towards the drumming/chanting and entered the innermost part of the Temple. Here, we sat down to take in all the crazies displaying their religious vigilance... Of course, Shannon and I were getting weird looks all day- being the only non-Indian people here. But, more so than ever, we felt eyes burning holes in the back of our head. Perhaps this was the first time I could clearly sense someone's desire to behead a person. I took glimpse up and noticed this guy standing against the wall giving us the death stare. Oh shit... this guy would murder us if there weren't 20 people between us. I looked up again thinking he would go back to praying... nope. He hadn't moved let alone blink. I turned to Shannon and to let him in on the guy contemplating our demise. Already noticing this, Shannon turns to Krishna suggests we should make like a woman reporter in Egypt and get the fuck outta here. Krishna, oblivious to this sits there for about 10 seconds, sees the guy, jumps up, and tries to play it off by saying "Let's go somewhere else."
Walking out, we felt an immense relief and decided to get our shoes and move on to the next place, a mantra temple. Painted skulls adorned the outside of the building, and again, we had to take off our shoes. There was a large pool of water on the inside of the temple that looked like small lake. Near the steps down to the water there was a large pile of clothes... but no naked people. Curiously, we heard how people go in to the holy water, leave there clothes and a precious belonging behind, and exit the water cleansed of their past sins. Way easier than going to church!
Next, we did the customary shopping... err... being taken to places you don't car about. Krishna, took us to the Muslim quarter which is famous for its silk. We entered what seemed to be an ordinary house that turned out to be a small silk factory. Inside, there were some fat guys cooking and dying silk over a pot of water. Other houses had a loom and... wait for it... nothing. Just a loom. and that was their life. Later, we haggled another guy down for some nice silk pieces. We got pretty good at bargaining too. I gave my final price and he refused it so we got up and walked out... as expected, the guy caved in as we were outside... Score! Mom, you'd better like it.
Later, Shannon purchased some small trinkets. And, we went back towards the restaurant to kill some time before the next train.
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