When I arrived in Varanasi, I went straight to the Ganges river and got on a boat. Soon I was able to see one of the main cremation ghats. A ghat is, according to Let's Go, a "riverbank used for bathing, often paved with steps." The fires are dead bodies being cremated.

An hour was not enough time for me to hang out on the boat, and I ended up having the driver row, very slowly, for two and a half hours. I also did some of the rowing.

Me and the driver were friendly and I hinted that I wanted to see where he lived. He took the hint and took me to his place for dinner, after we finished rowing. We walked along the riverside for a half-hour and then up some alleys, which were unlit because the electricity went out for awhile (as it does every night). I met his family. This is his wife, and their baby.

This was one of the nicer evenings I have, and you can see I'm in a good mood. I am not just smiling for the picture, I don't think.

They gave me whatever this is as an appetizer, and for some reason wanted to take a picture of me eating it. I think this close-up of my face looks funny, but I guess this is what I look like up close.