Varanasi to Dehli

Isn't funny when you are in a foreign country, especially a developing country, how proud you feel about accomplishing the smallest things-- getting money out of the ATM (way to go!), managing a few words in the native language (that was pretty good!), remembering where you put your passport last (good girl!)? Well today, I CROSSED THE STREET in Varanasi on foot all by myself and i was proud!

Crossing the street where no type of vehicle is willing to stop and there are no traffic lights or stop signs is a bold art form and I dabbled in it today and survived to write another blog enty!!! Seriously i was afraid in Beijing, but i swear they had lights. (I do remember thinking during a rickshaw ride one rainy night in China that this was how i was going to die- you know how you wonder how it is all going to end? I definitely thought that was it and what a ignominious and disappointing end to the whole fabulous life it would be.)

I played a calm game of colors yesterday at my hotel and ruined one of my best skirts but i think it was worth partaking in the custom. All the foreigners were kept off the streets of Varanasi from about 8 am to 3 pm while the locals celebrated Holi- they throw and smear colors- powders and dyes- all over each other. it gets wild and as my driver said, "some people get in a drinking mood." I think it must be tantamount to a superbowl celebration. Everyone knows that it might get a little out of hand but its all in good fun. just to be safe, they kept us inside and the hotel hosted tame game, dancing and music on their lovely manicured lawn.

Later that afternoon i saw where the Budha gave his first sermon. Budhism was founded in India, but now most of the Budhists have left. i went to a cool museum and again i was looking at stuff that was made before CHRIST!! Are we making anything now that is going to last that long?

V.