Khajuraho to Varanasi

When Michele and I re-planned our trip we found a non-stop train from Khajuraho to Varanasi, what a treat no transfer.
Varanasi, what a trip. This place was crazy in a cool way...... Mad windy streets, that make it easy to get lost. The ghats are full of magical energy; celebrating life and celebrating death. Pujas (prayers) for the health of the planet on one ghat, while on another the are discharging dead human remains into the river. Floating down the other side of the river in a row boat, Michele and I witnessed a human body being torn apart by a dog. The head had been removed and was laying on the ground close by, the ribcage showing fresh meat......I have flashed this image a few times since - how precious this human birth is.....
From Varanasi we spent the day in Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first teaching. Very quiet and peaceful and a sense of respect for the Dharma and a feeling that Bodhgaya is the right place to be traveling to.....