Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Monkey Temple

March 6, 2014
We were almost to Jaipur when Khan decided that we had to make one of his stops. This usually is someplace that costs us and possibly provides some compensation for him. The "monkey temple" is a wonderful place comprised of a series of old temples rising ever higher into the hills and covered with monkies. It is well worth the visit. 
The down side is that while there was not charge to enter, we had to pay 50 ruppees each for cameras. It would have been 150 ruppees if I had taken my video camera. They don't seem to have realized that most cameras (even cel phones) can take video these days. It seems to be one of those senseless rules designed to get extra $ from tourists. Back to the monkey temple, it was truly marvellous, but everyone in it had their hand out looking for a donation or a tip, from the "monkey man" who followed us all the way despite being told that we didn't want his services, whatever they were, to the monks which sat at every temple acting the same as touts everywhere to encourage you to visit their temple and make a donation. It would have been much better had they just charged 2 or 300 ruppees admission, as it was worth that. Instead they say it's free and then harass you psychologically for payment of some vague amount. I find it offensive. It seems that everyone in Rajastan has their hand out. Although they have some great wonders, I would suggest anyone coming to India visit Kerala in the South. Even the folks trying to get you into their stores on the cliff at Varkala seem more honest.
Jim

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