Speech Impediment...!!

Why I wondered was it that so many people in Varanasi were either deaf or dumb or perhaps both? People greeted you with a nod accompanied with some sort of sign language or with a gargle from a pained expression. It wasn't till later that I begin to realize the reason for this peculiarity... PAN, this was the answer.
PAN for people like me that have never heard of it and don't know what it is, is a mixture of beetle nut, tobacco & calcium. It sold in a leaf for about 6 rupees and is put in the mouth and left. This is then transformed into a mouth full of red saliva which in turn is then kept in the mouth and then spat out, but the longer left in the mouth the better. When people talk to you, if they talk to you because sign language is preferable. They tilt their head back and speak from an open mouth which is holding the red spit. So it sounds like they are speaking to you from under water... !! Makes communication very difficult especially if you are not aware of what it is that is making the person disabled in the speach department.

Hair cut Indian Style.

Hair cut Indian style, this poster was in the barbers when I had my hair cut. Apparently its from the 20's or 30's. Thought that it was kinda cool..

Me with the short hair look.

Around the Ghats.

I watched as the boatmen bailed out water as quick as their hands could move, it did not inspire confidence in the sea worthiness and as for the over loading....??

Removals the Indian way, it's the only way in the small Ghats!

This looks like hard work and the temperature is 45 c.

When I arrived in Varanasi, I’d heard so much about the place from TV and from other travelers, my expectations were pretty high. Although not disappointed, there were some things that I wasn’t ready for, such as the walk down the Ghats - which to anyone who’s not familiar with the place are – small lanes that line the River Ganges. It’s possible when the river is not too high to walk the length of these Ghats following the river. But be warned it must qualify as the world’s longest urinal and the smell is enough to bring the cremated bodies back to life.

Don’t let this stop you from enjoying your daily swim in the river and as most people that do swim in the river do drink it. The Indian stomach is made of cast iron. Not forgetting the washing of clothes, buffalo and dead bodies that are rotting at the bottom of the river.

Talk about being loaded

This was a huge metal filing cabinet on the NH13. Yes this is the highway folks. The cabinet was rocking back and forth and I was worried that it could fall off. Which has happened to me before.

This nearly took my head of as it passed on my side of the road. Way hay...!!

It never ceases to amaze me how much the Asian people can carry...! This I reckon has to be some kind of record, if anyone can beat this I would love to hear from you.

Road Rules

It was strange at first the change in culture and attitudes. This at first was most apparent in the driving techniques. Believe me that there are techniques and after a year driving in India, I think I have learned a little.

• Might is right ( I’m bigger than you so I can kill you, so you’d better fuck off out of my way)
• Cow is top dog on the roads in India ( Everything gives way to the Cow)
• Lorry or bus, depending on which is heaver and bigger at the time of weighting up the situation, as to who gives way to who.
• Big fuck off four wheel drives with as many people in it as a bus in Europe.
• Car with usually crammed with as many people as possible. (Six or more)
• Motorbike / Scooter with as much on it as a removal van in Europe.
• Pedestrian