existing Hindu religion . It was an insult that stands to this day , over 800 years old .
Impressive in its design , construction and artworks , the over 70-metre-tall brick construction forms part of the Qutb complex , a mix of cultures that gained UNESCO World Heritage listing in 1993 .
Gaining access to the Qutb complex is one of those oddities found often in India , international travellers are charged a much greater cost of entry than the ‘ locals ’. In this case INR 35 ( around AU $ 0.65 ) for Indians and a ‘ whopping ’ INR 550 ( AU $ 10.00 ) for internationals . Outrageous !
“ You have guide ?”, asked an elderly gentleman who looked official . “ Give me money , I organise entry .”
I declined the offer and turned away , it seemed rude , I felt that shunning this man was some sort of racial , cultural reflection on my behalf .
“ You did the right thing ,” offered our guide , Buddhi Singh of Motorcycle Expeditions . “ These people are just looking for naïve internationals , always ask to see their official accreditation .”
And so stepped in the first major lesson in dealing with Delhi . The touts , the hawkers , the beggars . You ’ ll find all sorts within the streets , often seeming innocuous , they ’ ll approach from all directions with all manners of attack . An attack it is . The limbless , the disabled , old men , young women with child in arms . All manner of the population will approach trying to sell tourist gimmicks , asking for money , promising all sorts . Confronting initially , it becomes a game , they ask , you decline , they asked again , you decline again … so it continues … as the shock diminishes it becomes the norm , unless …
“ Same price , my body ,” I was shocked beyond belief . A teenage girl , no more than 15 , had been
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