We have ventured out on our own a couple of times now without any help from local friends. Most recently we took an auto-rickshaw to Commercial Street and then onto Bangalore Palace and back again. The horrible truth is that the rickshaw drivers love American passengers, they play this game called "dupe the foreigner". I don't blame them for trying but, when we are clearly aware of the laws I wish they would then back-off. The trick in India is to make sure the drivers always use their meters. It is against the law for drivers to refuse the use of the meter, of course that doesn't stop them from insisting upon setting a price up front.
Our trip home from Bangalore Palace this past Saturday cost us double of what it should have been. We had the sinking feeling that our driver kept stopping to tell random people about the great deal he had brokered with the two American schmucks in his backseat. India is so funny for an American, at one moment it is a marvelous place full of history, culture, and life the next moment societal differences make you want to pull your hair out. This is all part of the magnificence of India and Megan and I are soaking in every bit of it.
Folks I hope this post didn't mislead you, Megan and I are having a wonderful time here and Saturday's adventures were mostly a blast (definitely eye-opening). Check out our photo page to see some wonderful picks from that day (titled "around town").
Happy Trails,
-Bo
Our trip home from Bangalore Palace this past Saturday cost us double of what it should have been. We had the sinking feeling that our driver kept stopping to tell random people about the great deal he had brokered with the two American schmucks in his backseat. India is so funny for an American, at one moment it is a marvelous place full of history, culture, and life the next moment societal differences make you want to pull your hair out. This is all part of the magnificence of India and Megan and I are soaking in every bit of it.
Folks I hope this post didn't mislead you, Megan and I are having a wonderful time here and Saturday's adventures were mostly a blast (definitely eye-opening). Check out our photo page to see some wonderful picks from that day (titled "around town").
Happy Trails,
-Bo
The beautiful Bangalore Palace and garden. A winter retreat for the Maharajah his family, and retainers.