Village Life in India near Varanasi

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In the countryside near Varanasi: the early morning mist and the trees could almost be in Europe In the countryside near Varanasi: cows munch their fodder while considering a photographer In the countryside near Varanasi: different tools are used for chopping fodder depending on the available cash. The weathiest can use electricity, the mddle use hand-cranked machines, the poorest a simple chopper. This old lady is in the latter category and reminds me of the Grim Reaper In the countryside near Varanasi: new born calf takes its first steps as the farmer disposes of the afterbirth In the countryside near Varanasi: a buffalo is a very significant asset for the family, but somehow the relationship seems warmer than just a financial interest In the countryside near Varanasi: Grandmother and children In the countryside near Varanasi: Grandmother and children In the countryside near Varanasi: Why does he want to photograph me? In the countryside near Varanasi: the darkened eyes are to protect from the "evil eye" In the countryside near Varanasi: stick toothbrush In the countryside near Varanasi: a local school. The fee for each pupil is 20 rupees per month and each of the 8 teachers is paid 600 rupees per month In the countryside near Varanasi: all villages and many households have their wells from which water for every purpose is pumped In the countryside near Varanasi: children playing with the remains of a motorcycle In the countryside near Varanasi: making dung pats to dry in the sun for fuel In the countryside near Varanasi: freshly dried silk thread stretching in the sun to dry In the countryside near Varanasi: at the village pump In the countryside near Varanasi: making small drinking bowls at the roadside Further up the Ganges from Varanasi a river ferry is loaded up with people, bicycles, motorcycles, goods and animals Further up the Ganges from Varanasi the water level is low, leaving dried cracked mud