019. I need to make a phone call. Having an American SIM card in India is useless. I hit the streets looking for a SIM card.
“No thanks.”
“No thanks.”
“No thanks.”
“No thanks.”
“No thanks.”
“No thanks.”
“No thanks.”
“No thanks.”
[F].U.C.K. THIS! People won‘t stop soliciting! And the more adventurous follow me for 50 meters conducting a pleasant one-sided conversation.
I step in cow shit, I think. And then I see a large red sign advertising Vodofone.
I squeeze into the shop, look around, see everything but phone related products, and then break out my phone.
“Do you sell SIM cards?”
“Oh yes, yes.” The man opens a draw and pulls out a bundle of Vodafone SIM cards.
“How much?” *
“500 rupees.”
“Ha. No, no. How much?”
“Ok, 250 rupees.”
“I’ll take one.”
The man grabs my phone, inserts the SIM card, turns it on, then returns it smiling.
“Motorola is good phone.”
I agree, dial a number, and then learn there are no more minutes available. I double check. Now I’m pissed.
“No more minutes!”
“OK, ok, oK.”
The man grabs a new SIM card, pops it out of its plastic card and inserts it into my phone. I smile, make a call, pay, leave, and try to avoid cow shit.
* I have no clue how much these things really cost. Was I ripped off? Do I care?
Oh, sounds like you might be in Delhi or some other overwhelming Indian city. Get thee on a train quick to some other town where the touts are also persistent but at least are charming.
I somehow picked up a magical power after about two weeks in India just recently – with a small, dismissive wave of a hand, the tout or beggar would leave. Instantly. Don't look at them, don't say "no" (it never ever works), don't tell them where you're from, don't tell them your name. Just a small wave of the hand and poof.
Good luck in India!! As frustrating and exhausting as it can be, after my second trip there, I still love it and love the people I meet there more.
Your daily adventures keep me entertained for hours after I've read them. Welcome to my country.. oh wait, you've already been welcomed in so many ways by some hundred people before me!
Don't leave home without it LOL
Any man who claims “Motorola is good phone” is likely to have ripped you off, mate!
wow so much haggling to do. such little time.
NO idea if you were ripped off, but it makes for good traveling stories.
Oh, you would be fun for me.
…Allow me to sell you something…
It’s good to see you’re getting along so well with everyone.