JaakkoMultanen on Nostr: This is a good explanation for my experience in India during my month-long trip in ...
This is a good explanation for my experience in India during my month-long trip in 2016, and what I've experienced since then online.
When I arrived in Delhi, I was immediately taken for a scam ride. There were a lot of roadblocks (these seem to be a permanent feature for some reason?) and the riksha driver told me that road to my hostel is blocked.
Instead, he took me to his scammer buddies who tried to forcibly sell me a way overpriced holiday.
I was having none of it and exited the office they took me to. The driver, waiting outside, refused to take me anywhere until I bought into their scheme.
Fortunately there was a police car next to the office, and I explained to them that I was being scammed. Unfortunately, they were in on the scam and just laughed at me, telling me that maybe I should buy something.
Welcome to India!
Long story short, I was getting more and more resolute in not giving anyone there any money, and ultimately they figured out that they would only get trouble from me.
Eventually, after several hours, I managed to get the driver to just take me to my hostel. Fortunately the scam attempts I encountered after that were minor in comparison.
This was May and the hot season, so I decided to head to the mountains where I found things to be quite tolerable (even the tap water was drinkable!).
I think the fact that they have an actual winter there has a local civilizing effect. It forces you to think ahead, and weeds out those who don't.
If I ever visit India again, it will definitely be back to the Himalayas - with a private pre-arranged transport immediately from the airport with minimal stops in-between.
When I arrived in Delhi, I was immediately taken for a scam ride. There were a lot of roadblocks (these seem to be a permanent feature for some reason?) and the riksha driver told me that road to my hostel is blocked.
Instead, he took me to his scammer buddies who tried to forcibly sell me a way overpriced holiday.
I was having none of it and exited the office they took me to. The driver, waiting outside, refused to take me anywhere until I bought into their scheme.
Fortunately there was a police car next to the office, and I explained to them that I was being scammed. Unfortunately, they were in on the scam and just laughed at me, telling me that maybe I should buy something.
Welcome to India!
Long story short, I was getting more and more resolute in not giving anyone there any money, and ultimately they figured out that they would only get trouble from me.
Eventually, after several hours, I managed to get the driver to just take me to my hostel. Fortunately the scam attempts I encountered after that were minor in comparison.
This was May and the hot season, so I decided to head to the mountains where I found things to be quite tolerable (even the tap water was drinkable!).
I think the fact that they have an actual winter there has a local civilizing effect. It forces you to think ahead, and weeds out those who don't.
If I ever visit India again, it will definitely be back to the Himalayas - with a private pre-arranged transport immediately from the airport with minimal stops in-between.