adventure log // I N D I A (varanasi)

varanasi.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect. the very holiest of spots - home to the nearly mythical river ganges, a true lifeblood for a nation and the world.

people walk for days and days from their homes to be in varanasi. truth be told, I was a little nervous about being there. about being an observer in a place so many consider so sacred.

the river was unusually high, which pushes life closer and closer together. every inch was crowded and full of life. humans of all backgrounds flocking to the river for bathing, worship, memorializing.

a smooth talking homestay employee, a few hundred rupees for bribery and a little good luck somehow got us into a boat at sunrise to see the city from the best vantage point. to truly be observers.

most of our time was spent wandering around, dodging livestock and soaking it all up. on shaky rooftops, in insanely packed temples, on university campuses.

varanasi. you were by far the most disorienting, eye opening + humanity affirming stop on our whirlwind adventure.

and I loved you for it.

adventure log // I N D I A (udaipur)

right when we needed a moment of calm(er) locale, our flight landed in udaipur.

tucked up in the mountains a bit, it was still very much india, just not turned up to eleven. 

a few days of quieter streets, calmer vibes, greener mountains. we walked everywhere. we took our time. the city of lakes gave us a break, and it was the perfect place to recharge a bit mid-adventure. 

we meandered around markets, chatted with locals. took boat rides to hotels in the middle of glassy lakes. 

we fell in love with a palace, met an eccentric puppet maker, and stayed in the most perfect guest house. 

we perched atop mountains, stumbled into technicolor festivals, and somehow talked ourselves into extensive private tours of the fanciest hotels. 

udaipur, you just might have been my very favorite. 

logistics: 

we stayed at the PERFECT little garden guest house. far and away the best place of the trip. 

we wandered around the city palace, stopped for cocktails and sunsets at the leela, walked in circles around the jagdish temple + wandered around lake pichola.