India – the Real Magic Kingdom
General rule of thumb: if you are opting for the country/scenic India trip, go through your day at home and think about what you mostly use. And if you do not have much repacking room because of all the goodies you buy while there, you can donate what’s left of your pharmaceuticals to a local organization that will surely thank you. If you are planning to visit primarily large cities and/or tourist places those items will be provided for you at the hotel or you can pick up anything you have forgotten inexpensively in any urban area.
Other supplies I found necessary were disposable cameras, extra batteries, portable video games (I hate long flights!), a travel alarm, matches, extra cigarettes if you smoke (or even if you don’t – the locals love ours and rarely get them), water purifying tablets. If you plan on traipsing around on foot, you will surely run into children that will tug at your heart. You cannot give them all money, so you might want to take such items as magic markers and candy. And remember not to carry anything on the plane that even remotely looks like a weapon (nail cutters, small scissors, etc.).
I have discovered when traveling that what you expect to find outside the U.S. will in fact be nothing like what really exists. Before you even come close to pre-booking a flight or hotel remember that it is verrrry hot and humid down there in late autumn and do not travel during monsoon season or you may not come back at all. If you are not as fortunate as I was to have a native of the country to be your escort, do research! If you do not yet have a passport, apply a couple of months ahead beforehand. Read all the government info you can (and remember to take the health instructions seriously), visit web sites that give you info, and talk to people who have been there (even if it means sitting through their slide shows!).
When you first get off the plane, you will be amazed at the chaos, at least by American Standards. Many Indian people are great entrepreneurs and bring their wares with them, especially to airports, bus terminals, and train stations. It’s very tempting and you will want to buy everything! I saw my first snake charmer right outside the airport. He informed me that the cobras are attracted to the movement of the pipe, not the music.
After you settle in a bit, hire a permanent driver if possible if you are planning more than one stop (it is very inexpensive and a good one is invaluable for escorting you). Talk to the locals. The people in India are among the nicest I have ever met and I found no end to their hospitality.
And by the way, if you stay in a hotel that actually has running water don’t complain if it is cold! (version # 1 of “don’t sweat the small stuff”).
Although most Indians are vegetarians, there are alternate sources of meat: goat is often eaten as is chicken and fish, and seafood is plentiful on the coast. Try to eat what is inherent to the area and if no silverware is served, go with the flow! Make sure you compliment the chef and you will get excellent service. Always opt for drinks that are sealed when they reach your table, stay away from any non-cooked veggies (no salads!!) and only get fruit that will be peeled by you (i.e. bananas) . Carry water with you at all times – we found a small cooler to be invaluable. I have never gotten sick when I travel overseas but I follow any “food rules” like those above that apply.
One more tradition I was not prepared for is that you never give/take food from the plate of someone else. If you visit the home of someone you know, be advised that you are a visitor and must comply with the customs of the house. Often the wife does not eat with her husband and guests. And if you are left-handed as I am, learn to be ambidextrous very quickly (I will let you figure out this one for yourself).
Another great thing about traveling in India is that there are produce stands everywhere! We are talking major organic here. But again, remember not to get anything that cannot either be peeled or boiled before consumption.
As far as traveling clothes are concerned, that also depends on the season, but remember to bring a good pair of sandals, for you don’t want to surprise a scorpion, snake, or unsuspecting mud puddle. If you are going to be in a hotel, laundry costs next to nothing as does local clothing when you buy it. If you want to do the shopping thing, opt for locals and their wares. The exchange rate is wonderful, but always use local currency over American monies and if you can get someone to bargain/purchase them for you that lives in the area, do so.
Indians are very proud of their handcrafting skills, and rightfully so. The things I brought home would have cost a small fortune at Pier One and are much more beautiful than anything you can find in the states. Beware of shops that look like they cater to tourists; what seems like a bargain usually isn’t.
Usually the first question someone asks of me when I have tell them I have been to India is “Are there really “sacred” cows running around loose?” The answer to that, of course, is yes! Some of them are like pets, pampered and brushed and members of the family, but there are also those in cities that have the right of way when crossing the street. They are fed leftovers from local restaurants that serve vegetarian food on rather large leaves (talk about recycling!).
One of the most entertaining things about India is the animal and bird population. We actually went on a “bus safari” in search of tigers that were in the area, but alas, ’twas but a tourist trap. I asked the driver if he ever spotted any during these treks but he hesitantly declined comment.
We were also cautioned against petting stray dogs and itinerant monkeys since rabies is very common, but I was constantly telling my teen-age daughter to quit feeding them potato chips, no matter how cute they were!
There is much more to tell but I don’t want to take away all your fun! Whether you visit the country, the beaches, or the larger cities such as New Delhi you will have a marvelous time! I will add this as a postscript, however. Do not, under any circumstances, overlook the Taj Mahal. That’s what I would deem magical indeed!
