Honking Explained

After three whirlwind days of sight seeing, including all the typical Delhi tourist sites (red fort, market, mosque, lotus temple, masoleums, etc), and a side trip to Agra for the TAJ MAHAL, I think I'm finally getting adjusted to India. It definitely takes a few days.

The Taj Mahal was amazing, my photos (if I can upload--still haven't found a place that lets me to do that) do not do it justice. You can't see the Taj when you enter the compound, rather, you see a wall, then you walk through and then the next thing you see is this amazing building. It truly is a work of love. The detail in the carvings was breathtaking...
Seeing the Fort in Agra, (where the Shah was imprisoned by his son, yet given a 'cell' where he could always see the Taj) was really cool. It's in much better condition than the Red Fort in Delhi... I blame this as Agra is completely dependent on tourists...

While we were accosted by rickshaws from the moment we got off the train, we thought we'd found a legit guy (pre-paid taxi booth, didn't drag us to the market), but in fact he was still sketchy! After seeing all the sites, with a few hours till our train, he wanted us to see "Agra's handicraft" which was hand made rugs (hello child labour), mosiacs "the artists can only work for 2 hours at a time" (right, and they're not all working for pennies...) and the best part "the beautiful star of Agra" (which is a stone e.g. jewelry store). Geez, I know you get commissions, but I seriously would have paid you more if you'd just left me alone! Oh the joys.

But yes, Honking. So, after observing both the taxis and the rickshaws, I think there's actually a system to this honking. You see, when someone honks, it means both "move your arse!!" , "I'm coming around", "Yield". and for the most part, when one honks at another, the other car/rickshaw yields. It's really quite interesting.

As much as I've gotten used to India, there's one part that I just can't shake--the beggars. There are always beggars everywhere, and I had tried to mentally prepare myself for it, but it really is striking. Particularily in the train station. The children will not only stand in front of you and beg, but what's somewhat alarming, is that they'll touch you. That's what gets me. Or, even reach into a car/rickshaw (which then prompts a chiding from the driver) to try to get to you.. it's intense...

We're off to Varanasi for the next few days, then Goa, Mumbai, and Thailand..

xoxo