India

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

— Mahatma Gandhi

We only scratched the surface of this amazing and beautiful country. We were there for a month, and the people could not have been warmer or more friendly. In Varanasi, we took a boat along the Ganges River twice, once in the morning and once at night. I felt completely out of my element there, almost like visiting another planet; it was a wonderfully mystical and magical experience.

It was in Varanasi that my continuing interest in the macabre was piqued by stories about the Aghori, a Hindu ascetic tradition associated with cremation grounds and rituals that confront ideas about death, impurity and taboo. Their practices have long fascinated outsiders and added another unforgettable dimension to our time in the city.

Our travels through northern India also introduced us to some incredible food, particularly in old and new Delhi. No Indian food has ever tasted quite as good since.