Delhi has more than a fair share of world heritage sites and monuments to explore and I'm making the most of my time here to take in as much as possible.
Each site has a two tier entry charge - something of the order of 5 rupees for locals and 250 rupees for tourists. This seems to cause major offence among some visitors; I even heard of one guy who travelled a long distance to see a world heritage site and then refused to pay the £3 to get in because it was unfair that he should pay more - oh the injustice!
I don't have a problem with it at all. I think its right that a country should make it's history and culture available to as many nationals as possible but I also think they have a right to make a money out of tourism. There are many, many things in India that are unfair and unjust and this doesn't strike me as being one of them.
Anyhow the pricing policy certainly works. Whenever I visit these sites there are lots of extended family and school groups also visiting. And of course you do get introduced to each and every one of them personally.
If ever you find yourself with a quiet moment in Delhi then head off to a local monument, take a seat and be open to those around you. You will soon find that people will start coming up and introducing themselves and their families. School children will come up and want to shake your hand and have their photograph taken. I'm sure that I'm on more holiday snaps than the Taj Mahal. Maybe I should think of charging to recoup my 250 rupee entry fee...
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