A tuk-tuk is a three wheeled contraption that is somewhere between a three wheeled motorcycle and a golf cart. Riding in one is like riding in a simulator that is constantly about to crash or run over someone. The main difference is that in a tuk-tuk, you really are constantly about to crash or run over someone. As a bonus, it would be easy to fall out. Pati and BeeBee took several trips in them yesterday in congested Delhi traffic. Pati's jaw drops so often that he may buy a strap to hold his mouth closed.
The pricing of tuk-tuk rides is interesting. For the trip Pati and BeeBee made four times yesterday, the price is supposed to be 40 rupees (a rupee is currently about 1.6 US cents). The trip has a point to point distance of three quarters of a mile and takes around 35 minutes. It would be a nice walk but the odds of being run over by a tuk-tuk (or car or motorcycle or human powered cart) are pretty high.
The first ride, negotiated by the hotel cost 50 rupees. The second, negotiated by Pati cost 80 rupees (after a quote of 50 as Pati and BeeBee climbed into the tuk-tuk). The third, again negotiated by the hotel, cost 50 rupees. When Pati and BeeBee arrived at the destination, Pati said "Is that 50 rupees?" to the driver. He answered "If you wish, sir." Pati paid 60. The final trip was in the evening. A tuk-tuk driver asked Pati if they wanted a ride. Pati said "How much?" The driver said 150 and Pati said "Too much." About five paces later, another driver - saying the rate had increased due to "much traffic" -- proposed a 100 rupee fare. Pati said OK since that was within his mental limit for being overcharged (and was only $1.66). On the way back, the driver asked Pati for directions through the maze of streets. Silence followed because Pati was speechless. The driver said "You have no idea." Pati thought that was a good summary!
 |
| New Delhi Tuk-tuk |
No comments:
Post a Comment