Varanasi and the Ganga

We have been in Varanasi, one of the worlds most ancient cities, for a week now. Varanasi has traditionally been known as a place for intense study, and nowadays this reputation continues with a more modern flair. Our time has been packed full with classes of all kinds: Hindi language lessons, tabla, fire dancing, painting, stone carving, Ayurdedic medicine, etc, as well as several lectures from local activist and educators. This city rests on the banks of the Ganga, India's most sacred river, which represents Lord Shiva in a natural form. On Wednesday we all took a day trip out to Sarnath to visit a local charity committed to helping women to create bags and artwork from recycled plastic. In Sarnath is Deer Park, the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon, and before heading back to Varanasi took time to visit this sacred Buddhist site. We have a few more days here in Varanasi to soak up the knowledge and insight the teachers here have to offer, and soon we will be on our way again.