Hey everybody!

We are writing to you as we near our final days in Varanasi after a delightful week. We have all been quite busy here in Varanasi a.k.a. Benares a.k.a. the City of Lights a.k.a. the City of Temples a.k.a. the City of Learning a.k.a. the culture capital of India. Indeed, we have been lucky enough to catch glimpses of the reasoning behind all these highly appropriate nicknames. The main focus of our stay here has been the wide range of internship opportunities available to us. Whether it was instrument, dance, art, or cooking classes, it is apparent everyone was just having a good ole time. In fact, a few of us were so inspired we found ourselves the new owners of some classical handmade Indian instruments such as tabla and sitar. Consider yourself warned of potential sleepless nights and distracted days as we dive deeper into the vast sea of music. Meanwhile, we have all also been learning Hindi for 2 hours every morning with our stellar instructor Pinku. Although it was a slow and somewhat frustrating beginning of a new and unique language, we all now able to form the simplest of past, present, and future sentences.
Aside from these opportunities, we were lucky enough to find ourselves as the newest residents of a Varanasi Hindustan University house with other students and travelers from all over the world. Included in this house was Shantiji, a woman who many have agreed produced the finest meals that our taste buds have encountered. Lunch buffets of rice, dal, vegetables, fruit, chapatis, and more have become highlights of our days.
Beyond just our classrooms and kitchen, we also have been able to witness the rich culture of Varanasi in other ways. In quite a bold maneuver, we rose early with the sun to enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the Mother Ganga, viewing the renowned and famous ghats that line the river banks and attract people from all around the world. Soon, we hope to finalize our plans for free travel and will keep you all updated!

Shanti Bahar (Peace Out)
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-Ariel and Topher