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Vagabonding is a round-the- world travelogue created by Mike Pugh, an optimist from Chicago. Mike traveled on his own through Asia and East Africa and updated this site from the road.

The trip is over, but the site remains. All the travelogue, video, and photo entries are in their archives.

View a map of Mike's route.

 

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Varanasi is the Door of Heaven



You don't need sex, all you need is to pray. Or so says my new friend Tony who explains here why Varanasi, India is the door of heaven.

Posted on February 27, 2003 11:59 AM

 

 

Comments (post your own below)

What a stunning excerpt this is of life view in India! The belief in the Ganges cleansing so contrasts with our own horror of human contact and things "unclean". Your videos are delightful and such concise comments on culture. Great site!

Posted by: Theresa Hush on March 3, 2003 12:12 PM

Hi Mike,
I'm really thrilled to see that you have included India into your travelogoue.
Wow!! its nice to see the optimist in you...
Good to see that you are also filming your travels. i do that too but I haven't travelled a lot.
Are you travelling to the southern peninsula or are you gonna restrict to the northern part of the country.
Hope you have nice time at Agra. I had a tough time to get the Taj filmed due to the restrictions on the usage of Video Camera. Its pure politics to sustain the buisness interests of the still photographers lingering there.
Good luck on your trip.
Bye
Arul

Posted by: Arul on March 5, 2003 07:34 AM

MP,

Did you take the opportunity to bathe in the Ganges? See any floating poo?

Posted by: MJ on March 10, 2003 12:42 PM

i have visited india twice and could go back again. but the truly best kept secret of the world is myamar. we traveled there extensively and returned agin for a few special days. no photos can do justice to the temples and reclining budhas etc etc etc. the people r wonderful and it is a MUST on any travelers list. thank you for your website.

Posted by: marilyn on March 11, 2003 04:40 PM

MJ - no, I didn't bathe in the Ganges. I let the hype scare me. Now I wish I had. (Next time...)

Posted by: Mike on March 16, 2003 12:15 AM

Wow,

this is so right on. it really sums the whole thing up in a way we westeners just can't

Thanks

Posted by: david on March 21, 2003 12:46 PM

Congratulations!
This is what we, common mortals, will never be able to do: to travel freely, to see wonders not available at the local mall, to see the true spirit of communion with the land you´re stepping on.
I envy you and everyone free enough to lose the anchor and take a breath of the air from such extraordinary places. Please continue, it´s for our own good!

Posted by: marco on April 23, 2003 04:25 PM

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