October 5th, 2012
Spent a few days in New Delhi, India (not by choice) in order to catch a flight into Kathmandu, Nepal.  The way the flights arrive from the States are into India, it's impossible to fly out that same day.  Additionally, India requires that you obtain a Visa in order to transit through. Only catch is the transit visa is only good for a few days. If you are planning on passing through 20 plus days latter, as I am, you need to obtain a tourist visa.  I am not sure which countries, if any, still have transit lounges but this new system is inefficient at best.

India is turning out to be not one of my favorite countries to visit. I traveled here in the '90's on official business for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and got sick straight away.  Made the mistake of 'wetting' my toothbrush with tap water. I didn't think that little bit would do me in, but I was mistaken.  I had several meetings to attend during my first week their, and then had to conduct a three week training seminar. I recall being driven to my meetings as I was laid out in the back seat, trying to conserve what little energy I had.  In any case, that's not why I am not a fan of India. (The water thing was totally my fault).  Even though India has become a lot more affluent since my visit in the '90's, it is still one big hustle, when it comes to the tourist.  I don't like being cheated as much as I dislike cheating others.  Let's take the taxi driver as an example.  The official airport taxi cue is the safest way to leave the airport, if you do not have a driver waiting. The dispatcher will tell you, even though the driver may not speak English (in the case of English speakers) each cab now has a GPS system which will take the best route to your destination. True, each cab has one, but the driver's never turns them on.  I've experienced this twice while leaving the airport.  Next, in order to return to the airport, a driver will not use the meter but negotiate a price with you. (I know this occurs in other countries as well, but we're talking about India at the moment.) They all have a price they will not drop below for tourist. The Tuk-Tuk drivers are the same.  You will get a lower price with them but a slower, longer drive.  Only difference is, the Tuk-Tuk's can not go into the airport. I knew this but the driver's will assure you their is no problem getting you to the airport and will drop the "We can't go into the airport" on you, once you are well under way.  (Also, these vehicles can not take the new highways of Delhi.)

So, once we were well under way, after a price had been agreed upon, after I was assured he could go to the airport terminal, the driver says he can not take me directly to the terminal but to a free bus stop, just outside the airport, which takes passengers in.  But now he wants me to pay a parking fee for his ride.  I said nothing of course.  I wanted to see what the situation would be at this bus stop, before telling him to go pound sand. The parking area he wanted to enter was not a requirement. He simply wanted to wait and pick up passengers coming from the airport.  He had his hand out and insisted.  I told him to go pound sand, then walked away.  I am betting that most tourist feel they'd better pay, to avoid trouble in a foreign country, otherwise these guys would not continue to do this.  My advise to others would be do not be afraid to say 'no' and walk away.  Stay with the price you agreed upon and don't guilt yourself into to thinking they didn't understand your English.

People who consider themselves poor will never become rich in heart, mind, or spirit as long as they continue to victimize others they way they believe they have been victimized.