India Update #6

It is hard to believe that the trip is almost over! We leave tomorrow for a LONG day of traveling back to the US.
It has been a very fruitful and wonderful trip!
Since I last wrote, we traveled to Orcha, a medieval temple and palace complex that was spectacular to see and given its rural nature a nice contrast to our other sites. We all really enjoyed seeing the countryside and the intricate buildings and the architecture and paintings there. We also had a wonderful farewell at the hospital and dinner with the hospital staff. They were all so generous and friendly and welcoming. Our work there even made the local newspaper - if anyone reads Hindi, I have a copy of the article to share :-)
Our overnight train ride from Jhansi to Varanasi was great as many of us enjoyed being rocked to sleep by the train's motion. Unfortunately, the last 10 km took nearly 2 hours so it was a frustrating end to a wonderful experience that I doubt many will forget.
Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world believed to be over 3500 years old and it is considered the holiest city for Hindus and a pilgrimage site for many others including Jains and nearby Sarnath is where the Buddha gave his first sermon and thus is on the pilgrimage route for Buddhist as well. As a city, it has a life and spirit of its own and you can feel the spirituality that emanates from its essence as you wander the near labyrinth-like alleyways of the old part of the city around nearly every corner you find a small shrine or temple. We enjoyed our afternoon wandering these alleyways exploring several of its temples and seeing the burning ghats where Hindus long to be cremated so as they believe that their souls will be released from the endless cycle of rebirths and be allowed to go straight to nirvana. :-) Everyone has a tale or two of encounters in this amazing space including some involving "holy shit" :-). The next morning we got up before dawn for a sunrise boat ride where we were able to watch the city come alive, and we were all amazed at how many were awake and about prior to 5 am - we didn't know so many hawkers would be up at that hour... The boat ride allowed for a glimpse into the daily lives of the locals and pilgrims who bathe and do laundry in the holy Ganges and we enjoyed watching the yoga practices along the riverfront ghats (steps to the river - which total over 40). The swamis and other holy men were engaged in rituals to wake up "ma ganga." It was an amazing and spiritual ride only occasionally interrupted by hawkers who were even able to bring their TVs on boats alongside ours to sell their DVDs... After a short rest, we set out to explore many of the other temples and museums around the city and ended the day with an amazing music and dance performance and lesson along with shopping in the Indian markets along the narrow lanes of the inner city and dinner on a wonderful rooftop restaurant overlooking the holiest of rivers. The next day brought us to Sarnath to see the Jain and Buddhist tributes to the neighboring city where Gautma (the Buddha) gave his first sermon and a couple of Jain ford-makers (teachers) were born. An amazing morning that was easily topped by our arrival at the school. Along with our arrival came the rains (which while they had come to Jhansi were elusive in Varanasi) so they had a grand celebration for our arrival and the bringing of the rains. The school visit has been amazing and I am so very happy that we were allowed to spend time at this amazing school that was so welcoming and reminds me of Catlin in so many ways! I am hopeful that we can build from this a long lasting relationship!
We are all looking forward to seeing you all at the airport or soon there after!
Take care,
Cindy