INDIA
Michael, Claudia & Jake Freeman
February 2020
The below information is designed to help you get prepared for the adventure ahead…
What Should You Expect While in India?
First of all, India is indeed a developing country, and as a result, much of what you experience will involve things that you might not be too familiar with having grown up elsewhere. Some examples include extreme poverty, pollution, chaotic crowds, delays and unexpected obstacles, cows roaming the cities, an absence of traffic rules, lack of personal space, etc.
So let me briefly tackle these aspects…
An Entirely Different Way of Life
As for the poverty, it can be difficult to digest at first, however, it’s important to keep in mind that life in India is simply not the same as life back home. Wages are often less than $1-$2 USD per day, living conditions are often of very low-quality and in general, a majority of people in India are living below the poverty line.
For foreign travelers, witnessing these conditions can be quite an experience, although, it is not necessarily going to be a negative experience. In fact, I’ve found that some of the friendliest, happiest people I’ve ever met in India are often some of the poorest and I’ve had countless wonderful interactions with those who appear to be living in conditions that seem quite shocking.
So, keep an open mind at all times when it comes to poverty and I’m confident that you will also discover that things are not always what you might expect.
So Many People
Indeed there are. With over 1 billion inhabitants, it is only natural for there to be huge crowds and a complete lack of personal space. Also, just crossing the street can take twenty minutes because of all the people, not to mention the cars, buses, motorbikes, vegetable carts, cows, donkeys and dogs as well. (I promise though, it will be fun!)
I will say, dealing with the lack of personal space is quite odd at first but once you adjust, I think you’ll have a good time with it. Give a quick smile and nod to those staring at you and the chance is high you’ll receive a smile back!
So Many Questions
Often times, as you walk around, people will call out to you, asking you questions, trying to start a conversation, asking if you want to buy something, begging for a few rupees and so on. Yes, it can be a little challenging to handle, but it’s just how life works in this country given the very poor economic situation.
I personally answer their questions quickly and make it clear from the start that I’m not interested. “Do you want to come to my shop?” — “No, not interested, thank you.” That kind of response usually works fine. What you don’t want to do is shut yourself off from everyone and refuse to speak to anyone at all. It’s far better to reply politely and keep on moving…and sometimes, these questions can actually lead to great interactions as well.
Not the Cleanest of Air
Especially in the major cities, the air can be quite polluted in India. Again, it’s a part of any trip to India and while there’s no way to completely avoid pollution, apart from Delhi, the situation shouldn’t be too noticeable.
Expect the Unexpected
In India, you should be prepared for transportation delays and other changes due to any number of unforeseen circumstances during your trip. There’s certainly no reason to get frustrated when it happens. Just take it all as it comes, stay positive and you’ll see that every hiccup in the trip will turn into a rewarding adventure. It’s all about the mindset when it comes to traveling around this country.
Delhi Belly (Stomach Illness)
The question on many people’s minds when traveling to India is, ‘will I get a case of the Delhi belly?‘.
Luckily, it’s not a guarantee at all, but it does happen to some travelers. Here’s the thing…times have changed in India and now, almost every restaurant, including the tiniest and most local hole-in-the-wall eateries, use filtered water for their food preparation. In fact, on most menus, it will specifically state that all fruit and vegetables are washed in filtered water. This has greatly reduced the chances of foreigners having an upset stomach. Usually if something does happen, it’s because of the combination of spices and ingredients in the food that our systems are simply not used to. Even if you eat a lot of Indian food at home, it’s quite different when you’re actually in India!
*Please drink only bottled water and to be extra cautious, it’s best to use bottled water to brush your teeth as well.
Weather
During this trip, you can expect relatively consistent weather. February is an ideal time to visit India, with very little rain and pleasant temperatures. Here are the February average temperatures of each destination you will visit:
Delhi: 76F high – 53F low
Agra: 78F high – 50F low
Jaipur: 78F high – 52F low
Mumbai: 89F high – 65F low
Clothing and Packing
Taking comfortable, light clothing is the best idea.
For women, long, lightweight pants or long skirts and loose-fitting shirts that cover part of the arm is a good idea as Indian women dress rather conservatively and more western attire (short skirts, tight clothing, tank-tops, etc.) tends to draw unwanted attention.
For men, you’ll rarely see local Indians wearing shorts. It is recommended to wear pants as well.
*Laundry – Every hotel offers laundry service and there are always local laundry places that offer same day service at good rates.
Recommended Packing List
Clothes as needed (pants and shirts that cover part of the arm are recommended)
Shoes (closed-toe shoes) & Sandals
Warm Clothing (Sweaters and jacket for cool nights)
Toiletries
Medicines (bring sufficient amounts of any medication you may take)
Small Day-pack
Gadgets and Chargers (camera, laptop, mobile phone, etc)
Ear plugs (if you’re a light sleeper, bring a few pairs)
Sunglasses
Hat
Shawl (used to cover your hair, this is needed for females when entering religious sites)
Vaccinations
This trip to India does not require any vaccinations apart from the standard vaccinations you would get for travel to any country. These include hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, diphtheria and tetanus. Some doctors recommend rabies, Japanese encephalytis, typhoid, malaria and other vaccinations/pills but they are not required as the risk is extremely low. Please consult with your doctor to make any final decisions about vaccinations.
Safety/Security
India is a lot safer than most people think. The chances of anything happening are very slim as long as you use the same common sense you would use at home.
Watch your stuff – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels are all very safe. And you can always leave your items with your driver as well as he will keep an eye on your stuff while he’s with the vehicle.
Scams – Most ‘scams’ in India are nothing major. People will approach, ask where you’re from, compliment your shoes or ask how long you’ve been in India and then simply try to get you to a shop where they earn a commission. Or they might tell you the place you’re looking for is closed and try to redirect you somewhere else. If it doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. But they’re never aggressive. A simple “no, thank you” usually works. Life here is difficult for many and people try all sorts of ways to earn extra money as a way to survive. If you start talking to those who approach, typically you’ll find they are nice people and easy to talk to.
If you want to avoid such conversations altogether, when a person asks if it’s your first time in India, simply say “No, I’ve been 10 times, I come every year.” Within seconds they will leave you alone as that tells them you know what’s going on.
Beggars – Beggars are common given the economic situation. However, almost all begging is organized and money you give will go to a mafia boss that controls that area. Women holding a baby might approach and say, “No money, only milk for baby.” They want you to buy powdered milk, which they sell back to the store for cash (to give to the mafia). If you want to donate money to help people in India, I can provide a list of reputable organizations.
People and Interactions
Don’t be shy – Even though many Indians approach with some other motive, you don’t want to get into the habit of thinking that everyone is out to rip you off. It’s definitely not the case and interacting with Indians is always a highlight. A simple smile or wave or wiggle of your head will often lead to some fun interactions.
Female travelers – For females, be sure to smile at local women during the trip! Indian women come into less contact with foreigners and are always interested in talking to foreign females. This especially goes for teenagers/younger females who speak better English than the older generation. A simple “namaste” and a wave can lead to some great conversations.
Money Stuff
As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are everywhere in India. However, check with your bank at home as many banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.
If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, just bring USD to exchange at money exchange offices all over the country. You will want to take $50 and $100 bills that are crisp and clean as dirty, crumbled or imperfect bills are typically not accepted.
You can also use your credit card in many shops and restaurants.
*Please do not change money at home before you arrive. India somewhat recently removed certain bills from circulation and if you end up with these bills, they will be worthless upon arrival. Once you arrive, there are ATMs at the airport, and there are ATMs and money exchange offices all over Delhi.
Bargaining
Do you have to bargain? – Technically no, but in reality, yes. You should bargain for almost everything as that is just how shopping works in this country. By not doing so, you’re bound to pay much higher prices than you should be paying.
Exceptions – Packaged items sold in a general shop (bottled water, soap, shampoo, snacks, etc.) have the prices, set by the government, right on the package. Check the package and you’ll see, for example, “Rps 20” or “MSRP 20” which means, 20 rupees, and that’s what you should pay. For everything else, there are no set prices.
Getting ripped off – Everyone gets ripped off during their stay in India. It’s unavoidable. But it’s usually just a small amount and nothing to get too upset about at all.
Souvenirs and gifts – Always shop around, never buy on your first visit to a shop and if you start to walk out of the shop and they don’t call you back in with a lower price, you’ve already been given their best deal. If there’s still room for negotiation, they will call you back in and lower the price some more.
Other Things to Consider
Toilet paper – You will rarely find toilet paper in public restrooms. It can be purchased at any general shop and it’s best to always have a roll with you just in case.
Bottled water – It’s important to drink plenty of bottled water during this trip. It can be purchased in shops all over the place for about 20 Rupees (the price is on the bottle, set by the local government of each state you visit).
Plug adapter – India uses a different plug outlet than you would use at home. It’s best to carry a Type C and Type D plug adapter with you as you can find either outlet in hotel rooms (there’s often not any consistency).
As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 220V. If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.
Staying connected – This is India, so unfortunately, strong internet is not exactly widespread. While all hotels have Wi-fi, the connection is not always great. It will work and you’ll be able to send emails and do whatever you need to do, but it just might take longer than normal.