The clients enjoyed the experience on the ganges and we walked back to the coach seeing the town wake up and come alive.
There is a lepper colony here in Varanasi and leppers wait at the side of the streets holding out tins for us to put money in. I am always prepared for this and the leppers recognise me and say “welcome back Chachi”. I put 50 rupees in each tin, discreetly, so I don’t attract the attention of other beggars and I am also very very careful not to touch the leppers. Again, I am deeply saddened that in the modern world that is the 21st century, leppers are on India’s streets. The leppers say “Thank you Chachi” and try to bless me but again I really don’t want any contact with them so move fast.
We passed a soup and food kitchen, where poor people line up toget a free breakfast.