Day 2: Devilish rip-off in the most sacred city

2.7.2016

Our first stop takes us back to the city, yes the city that has once again driven us to the brink of insanity - we are in India, we want to experience something - mostly on a voluntary basis. The picture is the same as before, but from the beginning I have the impression that we are getting caught up in a certain machinery. People are talking to us from everywhere, but it's not like in Delhi where we were the only ones, here you are a small cog in a big tourist show - or is it just for us? Firstly, I am quite convinced of this. Unfortunately, my fears and bad feeling are confirmed in the area of the Golden Temple. Why area? Here you go through a metal detector, are not allowed to carry anything except money and passport, and then enter another narrow passage without a temple in sight. Actually, at this point my alarm bells should have been ringing very loudly - maybe they had a day off.

Since the cows wearing cowbells are not allowed to pass the detector (no joke, but cameras), I enter alone. The same scene as outside the "temple" awaits me. Shops, people everywhere... and police...police everywhere... I walk barefoot through the narrow streets and mainly think about whether the Indians know that at the entrance of the temple a treasure in the form of my €70 flip-flops is waiting to be taken. At this point, it should be mentioned... what these flip-flops cost in Austria as the original price is about 7500 rupees... for comparison... tea 10 rupees, food 80-120 rupees.

Anyway, suddenly I am the only white person among an incredible number of Indians. A strange feeling. I quickly wonder if I am doing everything right... shoes on or off, am I going in the right direction? Is a tank top okay? After being politely denied the first temple - too masculine - too Catholic - to hear that once - I end up in a second building. Here I am warmly welcomed and in my retrospectively stupid European credulity, I let myself be talked into something and get some kind of painting. Suddenly I belong to the people who walk around the city with a white-painted forehead and a red dot in it. It can happen so fast. I can accept that the Hindu wants a donation at the entrance, but I only have 500-rupee notes in my pocket, which I consider a bit too much. Since I find this to be a bit more money, I give him 2 euros, but he wants my 5-euro note... well, so be it... at that time, I am not aware that this is more money than 500 rupees. I am a bit annoyed by the shamelessness, but I continue. The same procedure again in a large room. I get some bands tied around me (which color crazily) and my forehead is maltreated more than that of any professional boxer. After more money is taken from my pocket here, I am actually just disturbed and annoyed. The Hindu religion is considered peaceful, but all they see in me is apparently money. I have to admit I am really disappointed, as I try to treat everyone who greets me or wants to sell me something here with respect. In return, the entire culture and religion here tries to deceive me. Frustration! I will never complain about our church tax again!

Upset and downcast, we return home after the ladies have stocked up on pants. A difficult section of the journey. Back home, the depression quickly turns into exuberant joy... Wi-Fi available. But the shock follows closely... Check the news? My suspicions are confirmed: Austria collapses without me... Presidential elections? Really? The thought of going back and saving my country briefly crosses my mind. But it's discarded... I have to take care of this patch of earth first!

In the evening, after a short nap, everything is fine again. We watch a great ceremony on the Ganges from our balcony and look forward to a boat trip on the Ganges, which starts at 5am and which we have already reserved. For dinner... of course... spicy curry. Slowly, I wonder if this will come back to haunt me.