After the power going out in our hotel room and it being 107 degrees, we didnt sleep much in disgustingly dusty, eye burning Varanasi (aka Varanasty). However, the romantic boat cruise at dawn on the Ganges was spiritual and we saw ceremonies performed. Hindus get a free pass to Enlightenment if you die in Varanasi. Do not pass go. After they are cremated in the burning ghats (shown above right), their ashes are sprinkled in the river. Yes, we saw 2 dead bodies that morning during our 1 hour boat ride and that was enough for me.
Later we went to Sarnath, where the Buddah preached his first sermon (pictured below) where Eileen is sitting. This bodhi tree was a descendant of the orignal tree under which the Buddah reached enlightemment and later destroyed by Muslims. A branch was brought back to this location in Sarnath where you see Paul meditating beneath it!
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