Whos your friend?

I have to say so far Varanasi is the best place I've been in India. Being right on the Ganges river helps you atleast think your cooler. I would love to take a dip bit kind of afraid of getting about a million infections, I don't know how the locals do it here and come out alive. This town just screams Hinduism, every where you go there are images of Shiva or the Om symbol, its pretty amazing to see how involved these people are with their religion on an everyday basis. The other day I took Sitar and Tabla lessons. Tabla are 2 drums that are mostly played with your fingers. It was harder for me to grasp because I'm use to being quick when it comes to instruments, but these drums provided a challenge for me that I'm more than willing to accept. Sitar was a little with easier than I though but the sounds you can make with that thing are crazy. My guitar experience help me alot in understanding guitar, as the scale structures are the same and so are some other things. I would love to take one home with me but I don't think there are any Sitar lessons in Greenville. One thing that messes with your mind here in India is who to trust. You have plenty of kids and other people coming up to you and telling you they are your friend, they give you best price, or let me take you to my family shop. It's hard to tell who is looking out for your best interest or who just wants to get the most money from you. For example the other day I agreed to follow this boy I met to his 'uncles' shop to look at pants. He said his uncle was a whole saler and could give me best price. After walking down some winding alleys we made our way up to an apartment and into a room with a bunch of cloth. After some small talk he started showing me all his stuff. Immediately I knew it was one of those situations where your not getting out with out buying something. Some I bought some pants that I probably paid a little much for and agreed to pick them up later on. When I picked him up he asked me where all my friends were and why I didnt bring any, and told me if I brought people he would give me a cut. Either way pretty sketchy. Also all the kids around here talk so much trash about each other saying how the other ones are ripping you off and cheating you. So many minds games it makes your head spin. All in all you just have to use your street smarts and best judgement when it comes to doing anything in this country, and always be on high alert. But from chaos comes clarity.