Phuket: Lucky Break

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Varanasi: Overflowing With Faith

Nilanjan Bhattacharya/Dreamstime.com Climbing into the boat as the sun was setting, looking forward to witnessing Hindus bathe away their sins in a ritual as old as time, I noticed my group had acquired a new member: A man was squatting on the deck massaging the feet of one of my companions. “Who’s this?” I asked. “Did we hire a masseuse?” Not quite. I learned he was a sinner attempting to better his karma by doing good deeds. I could have a foot rub, too — at no charge, but a tip would be welcome. Only in India would this make some semblance of sense.