Walking across the Ganges

I walked across the Ganges yesterday. I walked across one of the most religiously important rivers in India yesterday. I walked across the roaring tumbling water yesterday. It was not quite the spiritual amazing experience that implies. I walked across a swaying, vibrating suspension bridge. I shared that passage way with motorcycles blaring their horns, the cows that were looking for scraps of dropped food, monkeys hanging onto the wires stealing popcorn bags from unsuspecting walkers, and a ton of other people pushing past and suddenly stopping to take pictures in turn. I walked across the Ganges yesterday. From the middle of the bridge I could see men and women bathing in the holy water here in Rishikesh where the Ganges begins its descent out of the foothills of the Himalayas. I could stand along the railing and absorb the power of the water, and see a hint of just how important it is by the number of temples that flank the banks. Once evening arrived we found ourselves at the aarti, the sending off prayers off down the river with little fires floating on the top of the water. Watching people circle their flames in prayer before adding them to the holy river. I walked across the Ganges yesterday. 

Cambodian Snapshot: Boat trip up Sangker River

One of my favorite days I spent in Cambodia was the day that I decided to take the boat between Battambang and Siem Reap. You might think that 6 hours on a boat in the river would be a little much, but I found the scenery to be gorgeous and I enjoyed passing by the fishing villages. Some of them clung precariously to the side of the river, but we also passed through at least three floating villages. I couldn't help but think how different your life experience would be if you grew up in a village that only existed on water and could actually move depending on the water level and where fish are biting. As a child you would have limited space to run around and play, but on the other hand you could handle a boat on your own quite young. One of the big amusements for the day is waving at the boats that pass by.  A quick shop is located on a boat that floats from house to house. Pigpens float, bathrooms float, houses float, and fishermen definitely float.