Keito-Chan Sayonara

Things have changed since earlier in the day. Kate got a good price on a 5 day trek in Nepal and will be heading that way instead of to the West Bengal Hills of India with me. A 5-day trek was what she wanted to be the highlight of her trip, and hiking beneath the tall Himalayas in Nepal will be better than hiking in the foothills of western India.

From now on, I will be traveling solo again. Our tickets were non-refundable, so I'll have two berths to myself wherever I go (not that two are needed).

This afternoon, Kate and I visited a government-regulated silk shop near the station. There was no bargaining, as the prices were fixed and we got to relax and enjoy looking at the various products without huge pressure to buy.
While Kate was tired and wanted to stay near the hotel, I wanted to go to the river one last time. I hired a cycle rickshaw for only 15 rupees (39 cents). The driver was an old man and he had to work so hard even to go slow that I ended up feeling bad and upped the fare I paid him.

At the main ghat on the Ganges River, I saw a ceremony similar to what Kate and I saw last night. Tonight, however, it was staged for pilgrims and tourists and performed by about 10 holy men simultaneously. Although staged, it was still great to see and I was able to snap a few photos due to thinner crowds.

On the way back, I hand-picked a younger rickshaw driver and we were back at the hotel in half the time. It's now bedtime and in the morning I will say goodbye to Kate. We had a great time together and I will see her in Delhi before our flights or when I return to Canada.