An Encounter on the Ghats
Auli -> Rishikesh -> Corbett National Park -> Varanasi -> Agra
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During one of my many strolls on the ghats in Varanasi, I was sitting in a corner, camera in hand and looking for anything that could be interesting. Some one walked in and sat next to me. He started a conversation in broken English and hurled many questions at me at once! He wanted to know many things – like where am I from, was my camera Japanese, how much did I pay for it, etc. He did not look very friendly but I answered him anyway. He wanted to have a look through the viewfinder, which he did. He wanted to have a good look at the other bank, which was too far.
“I can’t see the east bank properly in this,” he said.
“Yes, it is too far,” he replied, “You won’t be able to see the other end well,”
He did not seem to be satisfied with my answer.
He bursted out – “A camera, which can’t help you see the other side is useless crap!” Bekaar is the word he used for it.
I am not sure if he wanted to annoy me or pick up a fight, but if that was the intent, he had picked up the wrong man. So far I had given terse answers to his questions, but this remark made me smile. I told him I could not afford anything better than this. He insisted again that my camera is crap, and seemed to be intrigued by the fact that I am still smiling. He then cut short with the tangential conversation and got down to business. He introduced himself and started a monologue.
“We have a silk shop near so and so ghat. We sell Benarasi silk sarees and many other artifacts. You will like them. You can come and visit us anytime…”
Saying that, he handed over his business card. I could not help but feel that he won’t go too far in his job as a salesman. I nodded silently, took the card and pocketed it. He was unsure what to say next, whether to continue talking to me or move on. To his luck, another traveller walked past, carrying some long object enveloped with a cloth cover. Our salesman sprang from his seat and rushed towards him asking what instrument was he carrying! I watched them walking together for some distance, and continued on my way!
Read more about Varanasi on paintedstork.com
* Images of Varanasi
* Travelling to Varanasi from Corbett
* Arriving at Varanasi
* Many perceptions of Varanasi
* First day at the ghats
* Boat ride on the Ganges
* An encounter on the ghats
* Photo Essay: Ganga Aarti
* Life on the ghats
* About Varanasi