India in September

[RED-DOG]

What about chilling? Is it a case of escaping to your hotel room to avoid the masses when you've had enough?

[Woodsey]

Advice on eating needed too.

Go veggie imo. Large numbers of the population are veggie, so veggie food has a higher turnover and will be fresher than eating meat for the most part and less chance of getting the shits. Don't eat the street food, India is no Thailand in that respect and you have a good chance of getting gut rot if you do. Also wash your hands before you eat, the money and in particular the small notes are very dirty so god knows where they have been.

Carry bog rolls/wet wipes at all times and mentally prepare yourself you have to use a squat bog just in case.  

So cafe's & hotel restaurants should be OK providing they look clean?

Mostly probably I would think, but as you will find out there are no guarantees in India lol.

[Woodsey]

What about chilling? Is it a case of escaping to your hotel room to avoid the masses when you've had enough?

Pretty much, when we were there it was so hot we had to retreat to the hotel or somewhere cool every couple of hours anyway when it was logistically possible. Towards the end of the trip we were just planning two or three trips out each day and returned to cool off in between, avoiding the middle of the day where possible.

[EvilPie]

India's one of those places that's never really appealed to me and having read Woodsey's helpful tour guide I can't see my opinion changing much any time soon.

I'm sure there's loads of great sights and lot's of cultural diversity etc. but it sounds bloody awful!!

[Woodsey]

India's one of those places that's never really appealed to me and having read Woodsey's helpful tour guide I can't see my opinion changing much any time soon.

I'm sure there's loads of great sights and lot's of cultural diversity etc. but it sounds bloody awful!!

You are either into going to these sorts of places or not and there's no point forcing yourself if you aren't. Quite a few of my family and friends think exactly like you tbh (why on earth would you want to go to a dirty place like that? ) and one of my friends who is actually into travelling to far flung places absolutely hated India too lol. The thrill for me is it feels like a bit of an adventure, even though it probably isn't so much these days really.  

Can't think of anything worse than lying on a European beach for 2 weeks myself, then again half of the UK love that!

[Nilawina]

At the time my girlfriend (Mrs now) had the same cultural shock. I remember taking her on a boating trip and whilst queuing a Indian couple just plonked their baby on her. She held the baby startled whilst they took photos of her. They weren't used to seeing a white girl!!!

Although she moaned a plenty of all the hole in the ground toilets etc she now wants to go back so we can take our kids!!!  Her favourite was visiting a spice plantation and having the freshest vegetarian food she's ever eaten off a banana leaf.

Street food is fine if cooked in front of you. Most dishes are deep fried so no problems really. You'll need jabs (typhoid & hep A) and malaria tablets which you can buy over the counter.

[Graham C]

The toilet situation would bother me but I'm not backpacking around so hopefully any hotels I'm likely to stay at would have something reasonable to sit on.  I've done my time squatting over a hole in far flung places so I feel I've earned my stripes.

I'd love to go to India, hope you have an amazing trip Tom.

[Woodsey]

The toilet situation would bother me but I'm not backpacking around so hopefully any hotels I'm likely to stay at would have something reasonable to sit on.  I've done my time squatting over a hole in far flung places so I feel I've earned my stripes.

I'd love to go to India, hope you have an amazing trip Tom.

Any hotel a foreigner will stay in will have western bogs, it's getting caught short at random times that is the problem, hence why I would be more picky about where I eat to avoid that situation in the first place. Also if you get a good dose of something you might not be able to stray too far from your room for a couple of days.

[Redsgirl]

Loving these Indian signs.

[OverTheBorder]

I worked in India from October to December one year, loved the place, Delhi belly isn't like proper food poisoning, you don't feel bad at all, then suddenly you must toilet quickly, 5 minutes of discomfort and your back in the game! Doubt you can avoid it, the food plus glycerine in the beer just doesn't agree with us, but it's not a huge hindrance. It is crowded but the centres are westernised. You will see a lot that will live with you for a long time. Enjoy it! I went back to work again, September should be great as you may miss the monsoons

[Suited_Jock]

Hi Tom,

I see no-one has responded to your SIM card question yet.

I spent a month in Bangalore last October and it was next to impossible to obtain a local SIM. Only locals are allowed to purchase them as the Govt has cracked down hard their use in terrorism.

I was unable to get one, if you can find a resident  to get one for you that I believe is the only way.

[BangBang]

Specific things to be careful of

-   Always drink bottled water (make sure the seal isn’t broken.
-   Stick with vegetarian food unless at a hotel (internationally recognized hotel)
-   Have rupees with you, but if in crowded larger cities, make sure you have your money valuables safe, maybe an inside pocket etc (Lots of pickpockets)
-   Hand wipes, toilet paper and cleaning gel to be carried with you at all times
-   The sales people in India are pretty aggressive, be stern with them without being rude, India is a big place with a small community, never know who you’re offending.
-   Stay hydrated, with the climate and also the amount of salt and spices you’ll consume, make sure you’re drinking enough water to compensate.
-   Personal space, Indians don’t recognize personal space, so when commuting, Queuing standing, eating be aware of this and don’t be easily offended
-       The People are hospitable but very intrusive, so don't be offended if you're asked really personal questions.

Mentally prepare yourself to for a shock.  Seeing India on TV is nothing like actually experiencing it first hand.  The smells, noise and sheer life takes a while to get used to, but once you overcome the initial shock, it’s one of the most interesting places you’ll visit.

Woodsey should be a great guide on actual places to visit…

I’m sure you’ll enjoy it….

[RED-DOG]

Some really useful replies. TYVM guys.

The upshot is.... We've  gone all dithery. Not sure if we would rather go to the Philippines instead now.

Please feel free to wade in with opinions / advice.

[BangBang]

Some really useful replies. TYVM guys.

The upshot is.... We've  gone all dithery. Not sure if we would rather go to the Philippines instead now.

Please feel free to wade in with opinions / advice.

Never been to the Philippines so can't comment..

But go to India, it's not just a holiday it's an experience...

You'll also be surprised on how close the hindi language is to yours, even though your ancestors probably migrated hundreds of years ago... Visit Punjab if you get a chance to and see the Golden temple, there are no/not many beggars in Amritsar and the people are more spiritual then intrusive, so will make a great place for you to experience..

[RED-DOG]

Some really useful replies. TYVM guys.

The upshot is.... We've  gone all dithery. Not sure if we would rather go to the Philippines instead now.

Please feel free to wade in with opinions / advice.

Never been to the Philippines so can't comment..

But go to India, it's not just a holiday it's an experience...

You'll also be surprised on how close the hindi language is to yours, even though your ancestors probably migrated hundreds of years ago... Visit Punjab if you get a chance to and see the Golden temple, there are no/not many beggars in Amritsar and the people are more spiritual then intrusive, so will make a great place for you to experience..

I know about the language. I find I understand a smattering of the words when I hear it spoken, or I will be speaking to a member of my family in Romanes while out in public and an Indian will ask me where I come from.