Just arrived in Varanasi on a night train from Delhi. We got off the train (which was very nice, had our own berth in the sleeper car), and were immediately in sensory overload.... picture kajillions of people, pushing and jostling their way down the crowded platform... men carrying impossibly huge loads of ?? on their heads... smells to overwhelm the senses (yes in a bad way!)... dogs, rats skittering from track to track... and then, the sight we were waiting for (was it a mirage?) - a guy standing in the middle of it all, holding a sign DEB BAUMBACK.
Aaaah.
So we expect we are getting into a rickshaw, but indeed we are traveling in style and an SUV awaits us. Unfortunately, said SUV wouldn't start, and our driver left us in the middle of a busy road in the truck while he went to collect buddies for a jump start (15mins). Jump start successful, he proceeded to turn us INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC for about 100m before finding his opening to the other side of the road. Phew! Traffic is cause to fear for one's life when you are in the correct flow of traffic!!
Down the streets we go, once again in sensory overload and largely unable to speak but only to giggle... cows laying around with the dogs on the side of the street (cows are holy and can be neither eaten nor killed, so they truly behave like stray dogs!!)... beautiful ladies in colorful saris packed 3 into a rickshaw (long bike with buggy in back)... and yes, lots of poverty stricken people. Finally we are dropped off seemingly in the middle of all of this, but there were about 3 men greeting us and next thing you know we are swept up some stairs (the men are carrying our suitcases on their heads), passing another few stray cows, and suddenly we are inside a beautiful white airconditioned hotel with leis of 100 of the freshest roses you've ever smelled around our necks.
We are off to explore Varanasi - a holy Hindu city where people come to cremate their dead, such that they can escape the cycle of reincarnation... sure to be a sight!!
... Still largely speechless. :)
About Me
- Dr. Sue Pedersen
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- I am a medical doctor, Specialist in Endocrinology & Metabolism, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. After completing my training as an Endocrinologist in 2005 at the University of Calgary, I have worked in Calgary, at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatchewan, and at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. I have a busy clinical practice at C-ENDO Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic in Calgary, caring for patients with diabetes, obesity, thyroid, and other hormone issues. I am also involved in clinical research in diabetes and obesity. I am a member of the Expert Committee for the 2018 Diabetes Canada Guidelines, and an author on the upcoming Canadian Obesity Guidelines. I am passionate, enthusiastic, and driven to help conquer the stigma against obesity; educate health care professionals and the public about obesity, diabetes, and healthy living; and to help us become a healthier society!
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