We are ready to go back in time. 
I realized that what I have mentioned so far about the first two days of being in Jaipur (14th & 15th May), I forgot a few things. 
American Friends
My family in India were very excited to see my friends that traveled so far to be with Neeraj and myself. When I saw them for the first time on May 14, it was an unbelievable feeling. I couldn’t believe that they were standing in front of me. After chit-chatting for a while, one of them had mentioned if we could go to the nearest Internet cafe to check email, etc… So it was around 10 pm at night and we, my six friends (Dr. & Mrs Katz, Diane & Dan, Jillian, and Beth) and I, walked to the Internet cafe. Now picture this: 6 Americans and myself walking through the gully of Jaipur with everybody and their mother staring and looking at us. It was like if they had never seen a white person before, amazing. 
This was only the beginning of being in the limelight for my friends. Some people were staring as if they were looking at Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts, who knows what they were really thinking.
We get to the Internet cafe and the person-in-charge was a young guy, maybe in his mid-30s. I asked if he had PCs available, and he said yes. I asked for the charge and he mentioned something like Rs. 15/hour, I don’t remember the exact cost. So then I tell Dr. and Mrs. Katz that they get go first and check their email at the available PC. After about 5 minutes, that same young guy walks towards us and says that Dr. Katz, who was looking over his wife’s shoulder at the PC screen, cannot stand there or else he will charge double:!: 
I was appalled — what do you mean you will charge double?? Dr. Katz wasn’t doing anything other than the fact that he was looking at the screen:!: 
I was outraged!! 
I know what the young guy was doing, trying to measle a few extra bucks from the naive tourist. Well, I wasn’t going to stand for it. 
I told him as it is that he was ripping off my friends, and that I was ashamed that we even came into his shop. 
If we wouldn’t have come in, then my friends wouldn’t have gotten the wrong impression of my fellow countrymen, sorry to say, but I think that is horrible that you are trying to weasle money just because you think you can. India always gripes about the low tourism, and its due to the fact that these people give tourists the wrong idea. My friends totally believe that they would not be able to travel in India by themselves.
Anyway, we finished the work at the cafe, paid the sleazy chap (yes he did get double for the Katzes), and my parting words to the young guy was not to expect to get any of our business ever again!
The next day I saw the Katzes at breakfast. They mentioned that they were up since 5 am that morning because of the time difference. I asked what they had been doing since that time, and they said, “Well we were saved by one of your cousins.” Now I was intrigued. Mrs. Katz explained that they had decided to take a walk outside through the gully to pass the time in the morning. They only got about 100 feet from the hotel when a guy came very near them. He was speaking to the Katzes in Hindi, and of course, they had no idea what the heck he was saying. It felt to them that he was threatening them, most likely asking for their money. Just around that time, my cousin Deepu Bhaiya was walking from the chemist shop and noticed that the Katzes were in trouble. He provided his assistance by telling the threatening guy to buzz off or else (it should be noted that Deepu Bhaiya is a pretty big guy, so it didn’t take the guy much convincing to get away).
So that ends the forgetful moments of those days.
NP News Bulletin – Current Time
Ok zoom back to the present, and what is happening with us. Yesterday in the mail Neeraj and I received a letter from USCIS. As you know Neeraj and I have been waiting for his Green Card interview date that we had requested to be rescheduled. The date is finally in, and Neeraj’s interview date is on 21st August:!: Now we have to get all of our documents ready to ensure that the interview goes well. This is the LAST step (let’s hope:!: ) on our immigration journey, and most important too. It will feel good once all of this is done and Neeraj is a US Permanent Resident.
Next Post: Sagan, Mehendi, & DJ Party
Alvida. Jai Mata Di.
Reading your story, reminding me about my experience when I was in India
It’s kinda true that it’s a bit hard for tourists without any local friends in India … they just gave us unbelievable expensive prices when we did shopping because they knew we were tourists and we knew nothing 
But there were a lot of nice people too who helped us 
They were really friendly … I remember I bought a lot of cds from a shop when I was in New Delhi, the shop owner offered me free movie tickets because I was like a big fan of Hindi movies 
it’s excited 
No matter what … I still love India and I definately will come to India again soon 
All the best for the interview.
All the best for the interview!!! Hope all goes well and smoothly.
First part was very interesting…
It really happens that the local people try to over-charge for foreigners. New Coke aamir khan AD is based on same concept.
Whats happens is… it shows Aamir Khan’s face is Red due to Honey Bee bites, the restaurant people mistake him for a Japnese… and add two zeroes after every price in the menu… so samosa becomes Rs 300 only
Good Luck Neeraj !
thats good you gave that guy a piece of your mind!! Good to know Dr. Katz was saved because of your cousin. And congratulations to Neeraj on his interview! Apna bhi interview hai – citizenship ka in August!
August sure seems to be a good month for immigrants:hyper:
Don’t get me wrong Mona, I love India as well, but I just think that its wrong that they take advantage like that.
That made me really upset that first Indians that my friends really interacted with was trying to rip them off. 
Anyway, I am glad that even though you went through a similar situation you still would love to go back to India. 
Hopefully there are other tourists like you as well that will think the same. 
Thanks about the interview, we are excited. 
Thanks Riya.
Thanks Joy.
I remember seeing that ad in India Ankur.
Its a good ad — but it was irritating to see that guy trying to take advantage of my friends first hand. 
Thanks on the good wishes.
Good luck to you too Kaush for the interview!
I know that you will do great:!: Thanks for the good wishes. 
It is really sad… that local people try to over-charge.
And I have even seen some street children… speaking in English with Foreigners… as they try to ask foreigners for help in terms of money and try other emotional tactics…
Yes Ankur, I know what you are talking about the children asking for $$ from foreigners. I saw it myself in Mumbai when shopping in Colaba where women and children were talking in English and asking tourists for 1 Rupee coin.
Amazing what people will do for money. 
I must say, though, that I received the warmest hospitality from Poonam’s family while in India. I cannot express in words how kind they were to us naive Americans. I would not hesitate to go back and visit Poonam and Neeraj once they are settled back in India… well, I think I might hesitate going back during the summer. I would like to diversify my travel experiences in India, so perhaps a winter visit would be up for grabs next time? haha. We’ll see.
Poonam, your comment about us not wanting to travel alone in India is true. Do you believe it is well-warrented, or do you disagree?
ohhhh… congrats on the interview! sweeeeeeeeeeet~!
hey poonam…the interviews must b over by now…eagerly waiting for ur new post
i cannot access ur photos gallery and i do badly want to see it
…i think some problem with my lappy..chalo…neways…u take lots of care…