Ok to get here early in the morning (coming at about 7 am 3 days a week) I do not have my driver (we use him from 9 am to 9pm) so I hop on an autoriksaw and come in on that. Usually a pretty good experience, some of my best memories have been on the auto (you can read about some of them on earlier in this blogg.)

Today I got taken-ripped off-and frustrated.

An auto pulls up and say he will take me. Tells me his meter is broken (bullshit). I ask how much and he says 120 (would be 54.4 on the meter). I get out and tell him 50, or run the meter. He says 80. I say 50. he says 80. I walk to another auto that has people in it (you can split them for about 5 rupees and go half way to the office). They were headed in the other direction. First guy says 60. I say fine and get in.

We drive about a quarter of the way to the office, and he pulls into the gas station to get petrol. He says he needs my 60, because he does not have any. I give it to him and start preparing myself for him to ask for more when we get to the office ---Nope, better than that.

We pull out of the gas station and go about 200 meters down the road and the auto stops, he starts fiddling with switches and pulling the start lever, gets out opens the hood (in the back) banging around on stuff. Comes back in and tries to start it again. More fiddling, more banging, more rambling to me in Telagoo. Takes out the sparkplug and starts rubbing it on his shirt.

I wait about 20 min, threaten the guy, ask for any money that he has (his English has gone from really bad to non-existent). Finally I get fed up and get in another auto, he runs the meter and it cost me about 40 more rupees.

100 rupees, 40 minutes, and a little adrenaline.

Not a bad trip.