Went to the bank to change money but was told the bureau de change didn't open until 11am. Then I was told it was open. Then I was told it didn't open until 11:30am. The rate was about 25rp to the dollar which I thought very poor. As soon as we stepped outside the bank we were accosted by a shansh marnie man and I agreed on 28rp / dollar for $250 of travellers cheques. We got in an auto-rickshaw with him and were taken several miles to a carpet factory. The owner offered to show us around but we said no with a capital N. While we waited they kept asking if we liked carpets, textiles etc. which always received the same reply. When the man came with the money he said he could only give me 27 point something, at which point I got up to leave. He actually went back to 28 but took out the cost of the rickshaw. Blooming heck. We hurriedly left before they started talking carpets again.
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| Hawa Mahal |
We walked back and visited the museum/palace, the observatory and the Hawa Mahal (or palace of winds). We also had some photos developed and realised what a problem the dusty light can be in India. We then caught a rickshaw to Niro's, the best restaurant in town, and had good, non-Indian food. We looked around the next-door book shop and retreated to our room for the rest of the evening.
2012
If you go to India, you'd better like carpets. And marble. And samosas. And mango.
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