After a night sleeping in Kolkata airport, we caught an express train from Howarth Station to Gaya Junction. Gaya junction is a 20 minute/100 Rupee rickshaw ride to Buddahgaya, the pilgrimage town where its believed Lord Buddha gained enlightenment while meditating under a tree. That tree still sits there and is the center for activity in this bustling tourist town. I tried my luck meditating under the tree, but I think I’m still a ways off from gaining enlightenment. Buddhists of all nationalities flock to the site but traveling with a Thai, it was clear that several Thai pilgrimage tours pass through the city weekly. It was nice being greeted with Sawasdee rather than the Konechwa. Thais apparently believe fallen leafs from the tree are considered good luck if they have them in their possession—we got 6! One word of caution though, there appears to be at least a few charity scams going around this town…so beware before donating to an unknown charity, I was almost fooled and I’ve heard almost every scam in the book.