Around the clock tower is where people are hassled the most. In fact, there is a huge sign directed at foreigners encouraging them to be careful and not to accept offers of tea or coffee from strangers and other warnings. When I got into Jodhpur yesterday afternoon, I headed there straight away to buy some postcards. I wish I had not gone. It gave me a horrible first impression of Jodhpur.
People (mostly males and children) were at me at once. Most wanted money. Others wanted me to visit their textile shop or their art school. Autorickshaw drivers were yelling at me to get in their auto. I couldn’t stand all this noise. I just spent nearly seven hours on a bus. The last thing I wanted was to be hassled or bothered anymore.
After I bought my postcards and drank a makhania lassi, I ducked into an Internet café to cool my heels. Once again I thought what the hell am I doing in this country. Then I regained my thoughts again and thought it can’t be the whole country, just the tourist areas. I must stay away from the bazaars and hotspots in order to keep my sanity. If I don’t I will soon be on the next plane to Singapore.
I made a second attempt to walk around the city centre and after no success of having a decent walkabout, I headed back to the guesthouse.