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Tourists in India in samosa shock | Tourists in India in samosa shock |
(about 22 hours later) | |
A Dutch couple visiting India's Bihar state, were charged an astronomical 10,000 rupees ($204; £134) for four samosas, the potato-stuffed snack. | |
They paid the sum to a hawker at the famous cattle fair in Sonepur after a "heated argument". | They paid the sum to a hawker at the famous cattle fair in Sonepur after a "heated argument". |
The price worked out at $51 (£33.50) per samosa. They usually cost about two rupees 50 paise or five US cents (3p). | |
The tourists then sought help from police who forced the salesman to return 9,990 rupees ($203.87; £134.91). | |
The Sonepur cattle fair runs for a month every year from the middle of November and is attended by a large number of foreign tourists. | The Sonepur cattle fair runs for a month every year from the middle of November and is attended by a large number of foreign tourists. |
'Special' | 'Special' |
The Dutch couple were roaming around the fair when they got hungry and ordered the four samosas from the hawker, police said. | The Dutch couple were roaming around the fair when they got hungry and ordered the four samosas from the hawker, police said. |
After eating, they went to pay the bill. | After eating, they went to pay the bill. |
The young hawker insisted in broken English that the samosas were specially made of Indian herbs and had aphrodisiac qualities, local official Paritosh Kumar Das told the BBC. | The young hawker insisted in broken English that the samosas were specially made of Indian herbs and had aphrodisiac qualities, local official Paritosh Kumar Das told the BBC. |
"After a heated argument and threats by the hawker, the tourists paid up 10,000 rupees," he said. | "After a heated argument and threats by the hawker, the tourists paid up 10,000 rupees," he said. |
However, not convinced that the high price of the snack was justified, the couple approached the police. | However, not convinced that the high price of the snack was justified, the couple approached the police. |
"The police threatened the hawker after which he returned 9,990 rupees to the Dutch couple," Mr Das said. | "The police threatened the hawker after which he returned 9,990 rupees to the Dutch couple," Mr Das said. |
A police complaint has been filed against the shopkeeper who has since gone into hiding. | A police complaint has been filed against the shopkeeper who has since gone into hiding. |
The cattle fair, an annual feature in Bihar, began two days ago and will go on for another month. | The cattle fair, an annual feature in Bihar, began two days ago and will go on for another month. |
Organisers say this year, bottled camel urine and milk are much in demand for "their medicinal properties". | Organisers say this year, bottled camel urine and milk are much in demand for "their medicinal properties". |
A camel owner Rukasat Rathor said a bottle of camel urine was being sold for 100 rupees ($2; £1.34) per litre while camel milk was selling at 200 rupees ($4; £2.68) a litre. | |
"Camel milk is healthy for those suffering from diabetes and children while the animal's urine helps to cure all water-borne diseases," Mr Rathor said. | "Camel milk is healthy for those suffering from diabetes and children while the animal's urine helps to cure all water-borne diseases," Mr Rathor said. |
Another popular item at the fair is elephant dung which the local people burn to use as a mosquito repellent. | Another popular item at the fair is elephant dung which the local people burn to use as a mosquito repellent. |
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