Goodbye Varanasi

I didn't expect much of my last day other than packing, getting hold of some nibbles for the trip and a leisurely stroll to say goodbye to Assi Ghat.

As is often the case it worked out rather different. As I was sitting on the shaded part of the , I was entertained watching the antics of a large Indian photo club. There must have been at least a hundred of them. Lining up to have their own pictures taken.

After a few minutes an orange clad sadly spotted me and sat next to me. Soon we were engaged in a broken English conversation where he explained his philosophy and thinking as well as about his aches pains and medicines. And all about his mantras for success and fortune.

At one point one of the photo clubbers pointed his camera at my sadhu and he instantly objected. No photos sir, I don't give you permission for that. The camera man left in a huff.

Time was pressing so I told the sadhu that I had to leave and pressed 50 rupees in his hand which made him smile. Then when I stood up and explained that my knee was troubling me he looked bothered and asked me to follow him. First stop was a stall to buy some mineral water with the money I had given him, then round the corner on the steps of the Assi temple he opened the bottle blew in it uttered a mantra and gave it to me. "Drink this water morning noon and night and you will feel better"  he said before pressing the rest of the rupees back in my hand. "my gift"  he said smiling before waving goodbye and hobbling off....