Delhi Hotel burned down

by Phil Travel

This story has been reported from various sources and was even recently published by "Der Spiegel"  reputable German news magazine.

There are a few variation to it but I do believe them all based on my own experience with Delhi taxi driver. The trick  of course works best if the passenger has  a pre booked hotel arranged. And this how it goes:

On arrival at Delhi airport passenger would take a taxi unless airport pickup has been prearranged. Shortly after departing from the airport the taxi driver will say; Sorry sir, did you not hear the news but your hotel had a major fire last night, better call the hotel first before we go there and find out what happen to your reservation. At this stage the taxi driver will tip a number in his mobile phone and as soon as someone answers will say ' Is this the reception of XYZ hotel, wait I let you talk to your guest. At this stage the taxi driver hands over the phone to the passenger with the message ' This is the reception"  A sweet sounding girl on the other end will say; What is your name sir etc.  The passenger normally would tell his name and than the girl say. So sorry sir but we had a fire and had to cancel your reservation but we where able to rebook you to another hotel, please hand the phone back to he driver so I can tell him the details. Passenger happy at this stage for the god service. Eventually taxi arrives at a hotel which is substandard and charges an exorbitant rate but has the reservation for the passenger. The girl from the previous phone conversation must have arranged it in the meantime.  Not only did the passenger got put in a crummy place with an unreal room rate and may also have to pay one night to the original booked hotel due to 'no show" 

Naturally there has never been a fire.