Wednesday, July 02, 2008

thank you for the ride

I love Delhi auto-rickshaw drivers.

If you are a tourist to delhi, don’t waste your hard-earned money and get duped by the cheat tour conductors. Rely on the auto-rickshaw drivers for a nice detour.

I was in the national capital on Sunday for some official work. Although, I am no lover of a place with rude people all around, I was not averse to a sight seeing.

But then, I had no money or time to indulge in luxury.

I had to go to this famous grey market Palika Bazaar from Connaught Place, where my guest house was.

The auto driver agreed promptly, lowered the meter and started for the journey of my life.

We went through alleyways and treaded the six lane roads. We almost hit a motorcyle and escaped getting banged by a speeding bus.

I saw the Parliament at my left, and after sometime, at my right side. I saw a gang of children playing with red heart-shaped balloons in front of the famous India Gate. I saw them again -- now fighting pitched battle for the few remaining balloons, with their parents trying hard to pacify them.

In short I saw everything twice, thrice wih my driver telling me which is what.

"This is the backside of Jantar Mantar," he said.

"This is the entrance of Jantar Mantar," he guided me after half-an hour.

After about two hours, I landed at Palika Bazaar. The auto rickshaw guy charged me only Rs350 which I gladly shelled out.

After having my bag full of pirated softwares and computer games, which, if bought legally would cost me a fortune (NOOOOO, I will not name them, in case you go complain and burn my arse), I waited near the bazaar gate to get an auto. I asked a localite where do I get auto to go to my address at Conought Place.

He replied, “Venchod, dikh nahi raha hein woh tower?” (***** can’t you see the tower there?)

And so I walked home. Thanking my auto-rickshaw guy for showing me Delhi at a throwaway price.

17 comments:

Shuv said...

standard experience for a lot of newcomers to delhi. think its any different in NYC or Rome?

Vincent said...

I had to read this a second time before grasping the irony, but then I didn't know what a rupee is worth today. Now I discover it is worth £4, which is about the minimum price for a taxi fare over here today.

Yes, the first time I read it, soon after you posted it, I took it literally, sad that you had not described the picturesque beauties of your detour with more enthusiasm.

I am cursing myself now for being stupid. (so we may be sharing the same emotion, for different reasons). And yes, Shuv is right. I have not been to NYC, but this happened to me in Rome, where I risked the taxi-driver's vengeance and didn't pay him.

ghetufool said...

1 pound is about 75 rupees vincent.

for one kilometers, auro rickshaws should charge Rs10. you get the idea.

Vincent said...

Sorry I meant that 350 rupees is about £4 sterling. Yes, i do get the idea. Anyhow I hope you can write more soon.

ghetufool said...

yes, i am writing something now.

"one kilometers". sorry for the extra s

shuv,
i thought i praised ricks in delhi. why are you getting angry. they are best tour conductors. do you disagree?

S said...

hmmm, golpo-ta to bhaloi, kintu etake ar kotobar bolbe?

ghetufool said...

dhur saala! bolte hobe ta bole public-ke? tao bhalo banglai bolle. ingriji korte jabe na bole dilum.

A Bollywood Lover said...

ha ha ha ha....this is bound to happen if you don't inform frnds that u r coming to this great city. and yes, they should charge Rs4.50 a kilometre, not 10 rupees, u moron. am happy that this happened to you.

and the galli, excellent! u got a taste of it. though yahan pe pyar se log gaali dete hain.

Shuv said...

standard delhi conversation in a bus stop:

bhaisab..time kya hua?
tere maa chudne me 10 minute reh gaye hai. bhaag jaa bhosdike.

true story..as devidutta said..its pure unadulterated love.

Ace of Spades said...

why are you recycling old stories???

S said...

thanks ace. in inglis this time!! :D

ghetufool said...

haramjada.

media concepts said...

Thanks for the description. This reminds me of the James Bond film "Octopussy," where Indian tennis pro Vijay Armitraj shuttles Bond around for a death-defying ride through crowded streets in what sounds like an auto-rickshaw. However, I do not know where the scene was shot. I doubt it was Delhi.

ghetufool said...

i haven't seen the movie. so can't comment.

you have been to india before?

Chaila Bihari said...

ekta phone korte ki hoyechilo?

Mehul Shah said...

Mitra, I remember once you told me you had to pay Rs 250 to reach from Bangalore airport to Reuters office at airport road. Don't ever go to Ahmedabad. They even try to cheat me.

Anonymous said...

i had this kind of an experience too. i needed to get to the station which happened to be just around the corner, and the driver charged me 50 bucks. must have been the way i spoke hindi that gave me away....

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