Happy Mother's Day!
Doing it like the locals: Josephine with our boat guy, Govind
Time is really just a what we call the movement of change. And in Varanasi, the moment of change is a bit different.
It's a little more the pace of a boat ride along the ganges. The river pushes you one way but with a bit of rowing it moves the way you want. Although the current is too strong (sometimes), its steady until you run into other boats; its never too steady because if india were steady it would be called steadystan not hindustan. (ha.ha.ha)
But it could also be the pace of a tuk tuk, which has a slight hint of ($&^%*$&^#%%^#&^$ im going to die) and a spit here and there of fresh paan. The ride always gets you there though. Where ever "there" is there is room for interpretation.
I've always been curious, so there for i must have questions. And coming on this trip i decided i would answer these questions. This was a very romanticized idea...
My questions really just increased and my answer well they essentially wondered off. Perhaps to get some chai.
I think my answers went to Varanasi to get some chai because among the holy bathers and beautiful saris i found some answers, well i really found shadows of answers. I suppose Varanassi has what i am looking for, that place had "it". As far as what "it" is.....i have no idea. It was there though, that i know.
Maybe it has something to do with the glow the buildings had at night. The glow from the lights that allowed the fire pujas at night. Or maybe it was our waiter who served us apple pie and ice cream every night. Perhaps the little begger girl we baught ice cream for?
Or it could of been "it" all, because "it" all was in this time thats movment is so much different from that of the blandness we usually encounter in everyday life. There, movment was shaped with stories that were embedded in the walls, lined the streets and stuck to peoples shoes, and that flowed in the river.
Time can pass any way you make it. maybe. that thought isn't quit developed. There is always time for chai. always. We discovered that people brush their teeth with trees in varanasi. i still dont know why, a lot of vitamins in the bark i suppose.
Varanasi allowed me compleatly surrender to the rhythm of india. I think the trick is you gatta move like indian, which is hard to do when you've never heard the essence of the beats. I could hear them in varanassi, or i would like to think i did, i could of just been the two fans in our 250rs room, or the wedding across the way.
Phir Milenge Varanasi, see you soon my friend.
Comments
Thanks to all the arugamamas for all you've shared with us at home. My best wishes to each of you!
Amanda's mom
Posted by: marilyn weinberg | May 9, 2011 11:15 PM
Can't wait to hear all about your incredible adventures in person!
Love Mele
Posted by: Camille Hunt | May 10, 2011 12:38 AM
Wishing all the arugamamas a safe return. This amazing experience will last you a life time. "Pyu's" Mum(aka "Jen")
Posted by: Pam Sutherland | May 10, 2011 7:04 PM
What an adventure! I hope you all have forged at least one relationship that lasts a lifetime.
Thank you for your posts along the way. I have appreciated having a glimpse into your time in India. Love, Josephine's Yo Mommmma
Posted by: Tori | May 10, 2011 11:17 PM