Mahatma Ghandhi Believed in Equality for Everyone - Minus Reporters and Photographers

Hopefully, teenager wannabe photographers aren't in his definition of photographers. Even though I do enjoy taking good pictures, I understand exactly where Ghandhiji was coming from now that I'm in India.

National Monuments are generally going to have some similar, unspoken rules in most countries you visit. Usually, there are a few locals trying to make a quick buck, but they aren't quite so in-your-face out of respect for the national monument. Other touristy areas that are not national monuments: beautiful views, a world renowned flea market, etc. tend to be loaded with more pushy locals.

Of course, in a not-so-far-away land where elephants rule road and no one gives a damn, that's not the case. Those people are hounds! If you look remotely foreign (and I'm Panamanian, so I don't that foreign) the men will hound you until you agree to take a picture with them. If you disagree, they will follow you, and then stalk around you to try and capture a picture with their cell phones. Sure it's a great ego booster, for the first ten minutes. However, after an hour I was tired and annoyed, and now have an inkling of what it's like to be followed by paparazzi. Trust me, it doesn't seem so fun.

On the bright side, I did manage to shoot some cool portraits of a man charming a snake or some girls in traditional sarees - for a price. Another unspoken rule in India, seems to be that money will be made as simply as possible. So, if you are taking a picture of a man charming a snake he will probably ask for money, and after lots of bargaining you will discover 50 rps isn't worth a mediocre shot of a snake near India Gate. I suppose I can't blame them for how they act, the caste system really is the culprit, but that's a discussion for later.

So where does an amateur photographer go for interesting portrait pictures? Generally, you can get away with little kids who just want to see themselves on the screen, as adults tend to be the more greedy ones. Or, invest in a zoom lens and capture all the portraits you please from far away, and save yourself 50 rps every time you go out.

I've learned what I can get away with

Revenge of the Tuk Tuks (and I get a little political)

Driving in India can be stressful, there is no doubt about it. Even sitting in the back seat, listening to the tuk tuks honk like crazy, cut cars off, and just do what they please with no regard for anyone else can tense your shoulders up so much. They are always there! Just when you think they're gone, "BAM" another one appears. By the end of the drive, I came to two realizations: tuk tuks are annoying and it really is no wonder that India is the birthplace of yoga, they need the relaxation. 

I'm pretty sure they're car cockroaches.

While I'm listing things that bother me on the road, I might as well add in, what I have dubbed "car tappers". Any car stopped at a red light brings flocks of children and adults, sometimes trying to sell you things, sometimes just trying to beg. It really is a shame to see the children there, willing to do anything for just a couple of rupees. Whether you politely say "nahim" or turn your head the other way ignoring them, they just continue to tap on those car windows.

So then I thought to myself, is this what capitalism brings? Could capitalism be to blame for the creation of tuk tuks and invasion of beggars? Or on a deeper scale, responsible for poverty? Would a socialist or communist society be better? I had the experience of living in a communist country, and after I left I was sure that communism (like tuk tuks) was evil. Seeing those children though, running barefoot on the dirty Delhi roads with matted hair and torn clothes, makes me second guess myself... 

Of course there is an upside to capitalism too, just visit the five stars in Delhi. Once you step in, it's as if you have entered a new world. A world, where everyone's sarees are jeweled and suits freshly pressed. If you ask for it, it will come - the concierge will make sure of it. All the commotion of the outside world, seems so far away. Would you give up $200 sunglasses and eating gold-shaving sprinkled brownies, just so the there would be less poverty?

Don't hate, but I honestly don't know.