Another excerpt from my India travel journal:

Once I arrived into Varanasi, everything I thought about the level of "crowded-ness" in India was automatically multiplied by a thousand. People in every nook and cranny, every small alleyway, every street. I have never SEEN so many people. There were so many people crammed on all sides of me that I didn't even feel someone slash my back pocket open while winding my way through the skinny alleyways of the local market. One of my travel companions pointed it out to me about an hour later, because she thought I had torn my pocket on a vikram taxi. But nope, it was a bonafide slash. Too bad that whoever was so sneaky only got a hair tie for his or her efforts!

After the pickpocketing experience, my small rag tag (at this point) group made our way down to the Assi Ghat for our first view of the Ghats, and for a sunset boat ride, complete with sitar players. Have you ever heard that song "This is the song that never ends"? Well, this was the road that never ended. I was sure that I was walking all the way back to Michigan from India. I have never walked to long and so far in my LIFE. Walking and walking and walking. I could have probably watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies, ALL of the Star Wars films, probably Gone with the Wind, and a few Rocky movies in the time it took to get to the Assi Ghat. Ok, so maybe I exaggerate, but it felt that long!
Once at Assi Ghat, we took a float down the Ganges, listened to some sitar music. For once, it was a cool night! No sweating for at least an hour! Afterwards, a few of us found, in our opinions after 15 days on nonstop Thali, the holy grail of food. A PIZZA PLACE, right on Assi Ghat! I was run by a few Belgians who emigrated to India years ago. We all felt a little guilty indulging on lime soda and a personal pepperoni pizza, but it was too good to resist!
After a delish dinner, it was back to the hotel for some much needed rest.

But for any of you travelling in Varanasi, check out that Pizza place. It's hard to miss, and some great comfort food!