Samir + Amy

Vinay, you're one in a million

Most of the time, India's many, many scam artists, swindlers, toutes posing as impromptu tour-guides are not to be trusted.  After two weeks of harassment, we've been trained to trust no one who offers us services off the streets.

After searching for 20 minutes in vain for some much needed yogagic therapy in Varanasi, we finally succumed to the services of a young (looking) guide, Vinay, who claimed to know "1000 percent" where the Yoga Center of Varanasi hid.  We were running out of time before the scheduled class of 4pm.

Vinay lead us through back alleys, bamboozling bazaars, through fly infested yoghurt shops, possibly through someone's living room, through tight spaces that rickshas and cars could not travel.  As he sprinted along and we struggled to keep up, he chanted:

    "Do not think.  I am your mind.  My mind is your map"

After 10 minutes we ended precisely at the Yoga Center, on schedule. 

Vinay refused a tip, if only we would come to his uncle's shop aftewards to "browse, not buy".  Normally, my relationship with a guide would end right there, but something told me Vinay was different (maybe it was the Lariam).

After our 1 hour yoga lesson, we agreed to go to Vinay's shop, which he said was frequented by "film icon Goldie Hawn".  As usual, we started out in browse mode only, but the ladies found a few things they liked so we didn't leave empty handed.  We even got to browse a nice family photo album features some nice photos of Goldie Hawn posing with the owner and Vinay. 

Sometimes, when you let your guard down in this country, people here shock you in a good way.  Vinay the honest guide: you're one in a million.