Varanasi was my last stop before driving into Nepal. After spending so much time in India, I got used to a certain level of weariness which turned out not to be necessary at all in Nepal. I got a great introduction to this country while talking to a Buddhist monk at Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace.
"Would you like to burn some incense?" asked the monk while showing me three incense sticks.
"No thanks."
"It's free."
"Okay."
I took the incense, lit them, put them into an ash pot, and made a prayer.
"Would you like some string?" he asked. In his hand, he held a piece of string Buddhist monks will typically tie around a person's wrist as a blessing.
"No thanks."
"We're not in India, these things are free."
"Really? Okay."
I stuck my wrist out toward him with a happy grin.
More pictures will come. Here's one.
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