Skip to main content

BHU - Varanasi






We took a hiring trip to Varanasi and as the plane flight arrived and left midday, so we had some time to see the city. Varanasi was chaotic in the greatest sense of the word. There were even streets that no cars were allowed on, but were so packed with pedestrians and rickshaws, that it was hard to walk. There are also many small alleyways that wind throughout the city between the larger roads. I think you might be able to get lost in them.

The first night we headed down to the ghats and took a boat ride. The river was beautiful with tea lights in banana leaf boats floating along. That night we had a relaxing dinner at a Nepalese restaurant, which served Mexican and Italian food. Although difficult to find, the family running the restaurant was nice and the seating outdoors. There were just a few tables that felt like picnic tables.

The next day was spent interviewing, but we finished quite early so we headed to one of the ghats to meet Neeta's uncle. What a joy. He's been living there for many years and took us all over the city mostly to eat. We had paan, lemon tea and then headed out for street food. First a drink clouded with spices; then chaat galore, my favorite was tomato chaat which I learned is only found in Varanasi; then kulfi- an ice cream like treat that is served with a squiggly jelly topping; then more paan. I was so stuffed I thought I might lose it.



Interviewing Team


Paan #1

Drinks

Chaat


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Li meet brunch, brunch meet Li

Durand and I introduced Li to our weekly ritual. While we mix up the venue, brunch is a Sunday past time, involving plates of food and wine or martinis (Piazzo). This week we went to a new one, West View, at the Sheraton. It was up on the roof and what a view. Slightly scary, because you could really see the smog, but nice to be able to look out over a large green area and other parts of Delhi. The help yourself part was small: cheese, cold cuts, olives, salads. Then came the ordering of 4 courses. I had beet gazpacho, some marinated vege thing, chili prawns, and then shared tiramisu and chocolate mousse with Li for dessert. Oh and lots of champagne, plus a glass of white wine for kicks. The red was bad. After we headed to the 'Foot Care' massage center for Shiatsu. The massages are decent. Deep, but almost pecking in nature because not enough time is spent. If they slowed down, I'd be very happy. We checked went looking for 'Gandhi' the movie, but they didn't h

Mumbai: Sasson docks and colonial architecture

One of my favorite parts of Mumbai are the Gothic Victorian style buildings that abound the southern part. The Lonely Planet has a walking tour, which we followed part of and it can be combined with a trip to Sasson docks, a bustling fishing port, and Marine drive. To finish off, climb up the intercontinental hotel for a view of Marine drive at night when the Queen's necklace is all lit up. Southern part of Marine drive  There was so much happening at the Sassoon docks: boats being loaded with ice or unloaded of fish, fish being sorted, haircuts, games, children coming from school, and ice being crushed. It was cool to be in the midst of the hustle and bustle. Ice being crushed Loading ice onto the fishing boats Taking a pause from loading ice onto the boat Getting a haircut on the docks Fixing the fishing nets Squid being tossed off the boat Lady strikes a pose Lunch time on the fishing boat Love the brightly colored trucks

Taj Mahal - the one and only

The next weekend Suzie and I visited the Agra, the city where the Taj Mahal is located. It was really enchanting. We took the train there, which was great! Faster than driving and so easy. We treated ourselves to massages, this time not so invasive, and a nice hotel, never been so extravagant. It rained like crazy on Saturday and Suzie was sick, so we stayed in the hotel, which was great. Otherwise, I would have felt compelled to go out and wander around. I was so nice to relax. We watched 2 Bollywood films too! Dewall and Brick. Both films with Mr. Big B, a famous Indian actor whose real name is Amitabh Bachchan. Dewall was one of his early films in which he looses his father and ends up making money with good intentions, but through bad means. Black is more recent and his acting has matured significantly. The first bit felt like I was rewatching the story of Helen Keller, but eventually it changed and a new story was developed. On Sunday, we went out and saw the Taj Mahal. It was rea