FATEHPUR SIKRI
On our way to Jaipur, we dropped into Fatehpur Sikri, had seen photos of it, and weren’t entirely fussed, but it’s on the way to my next stop.
Well, as usual, I soon realised why the guide wanted me to go. It’s a fair size, 5 lines of defence, a moat full of crocodiles, 1st wall, 2nd wall, an area for tigers, and the 3rd wall beyond that. The animals aren’t there anymore, but I heard it worked quite well for the odd intruder.
SO I SQUARED UP TO HIM, READY FOR A FAIR DIG IN INDIA
Fatehpur Sikri
No means no
Across the road, there is another place that is free to go to. One benefit of paying for access is that you don’t get any fella inside trying to rinse some money from you, as they often stand at the gates before you pay. I felt one fella who was trying to walk around with me wanted to do some damage. You wouldn’t believe how many times you tell them no, it almost encourages them.
Jodha Bai’s Place
I do try to be nice/fair to them, and maybe they see a little weakness in that, so with this one, he came over to me before I even got in, said I needed to wear trousers, so I showed him I came prepared and had them around my neck. He pointed at my flip-flops and said no, so I showed him my bag and put them in it. You could see he was trying any old trick, but I had put as much thought into it as he had, so he was, in essence, pushing against a brick wall.
The entrance to Buland Darwaza, The worst part about India
Hala!!!
After that, it was strange that he would walk in front of me, face me, and then shout and become aggressive. I was genuinely enjoying telling him no in the nicest possible way. The last thing I wanted him to do was claim he gave me a tour because he chased me around for 20minutes so I stopped walking, squared up to him, looked him dead in the eye, and said no until he moved on.
The fella had zero teeth and done a good bit of swearing in Hindi, along with a few shouts of Hala in my face. I can understand how other tourists could feel intimidated, but it was in the middle of the day, and we were surrounded by a few hundred people in one of the town’s most popular tourist destinations. Then he changed tactics and told a little boy to go after me. So I spent the next 5 minutes standing still, looking straight over him. Ignoring them is definitely the way to go. Why should you be polite and tell them no when they only stop when you say yes?
Buland Darwaza, The worst part about India
Chand Baori
On to Abhaneri, which, if I’m honest, I have no idea what the hell it is. It’s in a quiet town, and there seems to be no other tourists around, so I’m assuming it’s something quick to see. Again, I’m not even out of the car, and there is a ‘guide waiting for me’. Blanked him – it worked! Once I got in, I couldn’t believe the place was quite breathtaking, probably because I didn’t expect much.
Water well
Another tour guide comes and follows me around, so I tell him no, whatever happened to ignoring them?! This one said I am not a guide, I am the caretaker of this place, and you only pay me if you want – like that would go down well!! You can literally smell the bullshit before these people open their mouths. But tbf I didn’t want to waste the visit, and I was kinda relieved by his demeanour, so I agreed £2 for a quick tour. He may as well have spoken Hindu but I got the essential details of him in the end.
The town was in a dry area, and water was a big issue, so it’s a glorified well with a summer house built into the side of it for the King. I’ve seen one or two wells in my time, none of which look like what’s in front of me here now. When India tries to build something special, they don’t half mess around!
Jaipur
Arrived at Jaipur and checked into Zostel again. I’m done with bread and snacks and really need some proper food. I headed to a restaurant in the town, and it took me no time to realise there were no meat dishes on the menu, he’s only gone and recommended a veggie restaurant. The butter masala was pretty good, not much to it, curry sauce, and some peas, but the garlic nan and rice filled me.
FINAL THOUGHTS
My yin and yang experiences continue. Unfortunately, what I went through today could have been enough to ruin someone’s trip, but it certainly learning how different cultures are and how certain attitudes are perceived. Coming from Ireland, you never want to be rude unless you have to. If I ignored someone at home the way I did to that second tour guide, I would be labelled as an ignorant arse, but it appears to be accepted and the only way to deal with the issue here.
NEXT UP
Checking out the town of Jaipur tomorrow where I will be charming some snakes. Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
24/229
This post is part of the India Series, click to explore
Question Time
- Have you been to India?
- Ever had a similar experience, whether in India or elsewhere?
- How do you manage the situation?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
