Meet John (a very charming character).

John is one of the many unofficial "professional photographers" that line the Amber Castle's walls in Jaipur, India.

Each time a tourist passes by on elephant, up the steep incline to the castle, John and his friends yell "I take your picture! No need to buy - just smile and decide later! I take your picture. I'm a student that needs money. You are my first customer. I take your picture."

By the time tourists are dropped off at the majestic castle and left alone to discover it's beauty for hours, John and his friends are a distant memory.

The Amber Castle was built in 1592 and it's so large that you hardly notice the 4,000 other daily visitors roaming it's labyrinths.

However as soon as you leave the high walls you are very aware of the 4,000 persistent street vendors heckling for attention. It's overwhelming even to the most seasoned traveler.

Just as soon as you gasp for air in the parking lot, the unofficial "professional photographers" of the Amber Castle wave a collection of photos in front of you. "You are my first customer. Only 200 rupees (about 4 dollars) a photo! Take a look!"

"Buy all seven photos for 1200 rupees!" they place the photos in your hands and take two steps back.

"I don't need seven photos of me riding an elephant."

"Please buy these. I give you a good deal." John winks.

The negotiations begin.

"How much for just one photo?"

The negotiations continue for some time.

Winks are common.

Hand shakes happen.

Pretty sure that charming John and his entourage of friends weren't prepared to deal with our no-nonsense bargaining skills.

Because that's seven photos of me, riding an elephant, for 50 rupees. One dollar.

Amit, our driver in India, said that in his nine years of driving tourists around he has never seen this type of deal happen. That's how we ended up at the precious stone factory in Jaipur a mere twenty-minutes after touring the Amber Castle, where our no-nonsense bargaining skills scored us some rubies, emeralds and sapphires.