“The Ganges”

“Her feet led her to the sacred Ganges. There was a walkway above the river, dotted at regular intervals by mushroom-shaped concrete umbrellas painted in the colors of the national flag. She saw twin pink towers with railed belvederes and boats painted in that same cotton-candy color. Ghats, or stairways, led down from the walkway to the water. Locals and those who had come to the ancient city on spiritual pilgrimage were bathing themselves in the gray-green water. Towels of every color lay against inclined walls, where they had been placed to dry. Women and men washed clothes in the river, beating the wet garments against rocks to wring out the water. Sadhus, Indian holy men, bathed naked. A cacophony of voices, laughter, and instruments filled the air. Bits of trash, metal cans, and pieces of tire floated along with the current. Rowboats owned and operated by rivermen carried loads of tourists out to mid-channel, so that the adventurous could immerse themselves and others could simply capture a few bottles of precious Ganga water to take home as mementos or gifts.”