Likes, dislikes, and regrets

Friendly Kids on Bus See Strange Foreigners

LIKES

We like the constant activity and infinite range of activities of people we have seen here.

We like having a driver since almost no one from the US could drive a mile here without being killed or killing someone.

Lovely Little Girl Unafraid of Traffic

DISLIKES

We don't like being seen as walking piggy banks and being charged many times more for things than the locals. For example, the going rate for a tuk-tuk ride is 15 rupees. For us, a "special price" of 100 rupees. India may be a developing country but it isn't a cheap place for tourists.

We're uncomfortable with the baksheesh system which involves giving someone a tip every time you move. For example, before you reach a door, someone races ahead to open it for you and expects a small tip. To make the problem worse, the small bills are rarely available so that tips for minor, and frequently unwanted, services can become overwhelming.

REGRETS

No Johnny in Car Park!

When we went on the elephant ride, there were a lot of "professional photographers." One caught our eye and took our picture on the elephant. He told us his name was "Johnny - other guys not me just look like me and not my brother" and we could pick the photo up in the car park after our tour. When we got to the car park, it was such total chaos with no lane structure and cars parked at every angle just inches from one another that we forgot to look for Johnny. Sorry, Johnny.