India (hoping Athena sees this)

[Gardening Grandma]

Question for anyone who has been to India;

If you were advising a first time visitor to India, what would you tell them are the "must sees"?  What advice would you give them in terms of best time of year, methods of transportation, and just general advice.

(DH has no desire to go but I do - and I'm willing to go alone if I have to)

[Deleted]

Here's what comes to mind immediately:

Choose a European or American-standard hotel (and I include the Taj chain, which I love, in this category). This is no time to be frugal. It will provide the things we take for granted-steady electricity, a safer food supply, a sanitary bathroom. (But do try the squatty-potties!)

Food- yum. The best advice I got was to stay vegetarian-fewer unfriendly bacteria. You won't go hungry- they make good, stick-to-the-ribs vegetarian food. I hope the afterlife includes an Indian buffet.

Getting around: get a car and driver. Every major rental agency provides a driver.

Beggars- ignore them. You may feel cold-hearted, but they will swarm you if you give one money (happened to a colleague).

Destinations: Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal-day trip from Delhi), Jaipur. Visit temples. The Indians are very spiritual and I liked that even though mine is not Hindu or Buddhist. You'll need to cover your head-a scarf is fine.

Buy a salwar kameez- the tunic outfit. They'll love you for it, they're flattering and they're not too "out-there" to wear back home.

I'll probably make this trip again myself after DH is no longer able to travel or if he predeceases me. He's not interested and I really want to go back.

[milee]

Sept 22, 2013 17:13:28 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

(But do try the squatty-potties!) 

Anywhere I've been with both "western" and squatty potties, the squatty potties have been more sanitary.  Nothing to touch or clean.  I wish some of the American rustic areas (like national parks, for example) would consider installing them since they'd be easier to clean - just hose them down - and more sanitary, but I think most Americans are too heavy or lazy to use them.

[Deleted]

Milee, I agree- I thought they seemed more natural although it was pretty difficult to keep all the folds of my salwar kameez out of the way!

[milee]

Sept 22, 2013 17:50:20 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Milee, I agree- I thought they seemed more natural although it was pretty difficult to keep all the folds of my salwar kameez out of the way!

  Oh, true.  You don't want to have a super long skirt or voluminous fabric.  Yikes.  I'm sure there's a technique to that and all mothers in those areas teach their daughters how to manage that, but us ignorant Westerners have to just do our best to awkwardly gather our stuff and hope nothing escapes. 

The first time I tried one, I was concentrating so hard on not peeing on my hiking boots, I'm not sure I could have managed the fabric gathering as well. 

[Gardening Grandma]

I've used the squatties in Japan and in China.  Mostly I wear pants. The best trick I learned was to roll up my pants legs first!

I'm a little concerned about this upcoming trip (we are leaving Oct 2 for Nepal &Bhutan). I expect western style toilets in our hotels, but as I get older it is getting more difficult to get up....  

Thanks, I apprceciate the info.  I don't know many people who've gone to India.... Not next year, but in the near future, I do plan to go.  Maybe I'll take my sister.

[saveinla]

Regarding when - I would travel in spring and avoid the summer season if you are visiting Delhi & Agra. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Sept 22, 2013 17:26:54 GMT -5 milee said:

Sept 22, 2013 17:13:28 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

(But do try the squatty-potties!) 

Anywhere I've been with both "western" and squatty potties, the squatty potties have been more sanitary.  Nothing to touch or clean.  I wish some of the American rustic areas (like national parks, for example) would consider installing them since they'd be easier to clean - just hose them down - and more sanitary, but I think most Americans are too heavy or lazy to use them.

Or some of us have joints that don't allow us to do so.

We ran into them in Turkey.

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2013 18:38:36 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

Thanks, I apprceciate the info.  I don't know many people who've gone to India.... Not next year, but in the near future, I do plan to go.  Maybe I'll take my sister.

Yeah, I'd want to go with someone.  It would be a bit isolating to be a foreigner, in new surroundings, seeing all kinds of things you've never seen before, and no one nearby who shares your cultural background so you can have conversations about what you're seeing/experiencing.

Another thought- check out flyertalk.com.  There's a section on travel in India and many knowledgeable people who travel there a lot, or are from there, or both.  Just do a Search before you ask a question likely to have been asked before.  "How do I get an Indian visa?" is an example. 

[Deleted]

Do not go during the summer.  We went in June and I nearly melted.  It was like 120 the entire time we were there.  

I didn't stick to just vegetarian food and I was fine.  I had chicken and mutton dishes and boy were they amazing! India seriously had the best food I have ever had in my life. 

Do NOT drink the water.  I repeat...Do NOT drink the water.  Do not even use it to brush your teeth.  My husband didn't listen and was sick for 2 weeks when we got back.  He thought he would be fine since he was an army guy and was used to 3rd world countries and stuff....nope.  He was seriously sick!

[milee]

Sept 22, 2013 19:13:01 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Sept 22, 2013 17:26:54 GMT -5 milee said:

Anywhere I've been with both "western" and squatty potties, the squatty potties have been more sanitary.  Nothing to touch or clean.  I wish some of the American rustic areas (like national parks, for example) would consider installing them since they'd be easier to clean - just hose them down - and more sanitary, but I think most Americans are too heavy or lazy to use them.

Or some of us have joints that don't allow us to do so.

Good point about the joints.  Wonder what the locals with uncooperative joints do? 

[zibazinski]

Everyone teased me years ago when I even used coke in bottles to rinse out my mouth in Egypt. This was WAY before water bottles were in vogue. I was the only one who didn't come down with Pharoahs revenge!

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2013 23:22:11 GMT -5 imanangel said:

Do NOT drink the water.  I repeat...Do NOT drink the water.  Do not even use it to brush your teeth.  

Yeah, I was very careful about that. The hotel provided bottked water in enough quantities that I was fine. And you should always make sure you hear the "crack" as the seal is broken. In many countries, careless places will refill bottles with the local tap water.

Bring Immodium. It's cheap and if you need it you'll be very glad you have it. I've got a pretty tolerant digestive system and on one of my trips I really needed it. In fact, on my way home through Switzerland I had to get more.

[HoneyBBQ]

Sept 22, 2013 18:38:36 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

I'm a little concerned about this upcoming trip (we are leaving Oct 2 for Nepal &Bhutan). I expect western style toilets in our hotels, but as I get older it is getting more difficult to get up....  

Oh GG!!! I'm so jealous!! Did you post about what you are doing there? I missed it. Please have a wonderful time and please please post some pictures when you get back. Those are both places on my bucket list!! (and Everest basecamp + anapurna circuit).

[milee]

Sept 23, 2013 12:09:28 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Sept 22, 2013 18:38:36 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

Those are both places on my bucket list!! (and Everest basecamp + anapurna circuit).

One of the women in our Kilimanjaro hiking group had done Everest basecamp about 6 months prior to Kili.  She had some good stories and really good gear.  The one thing she did say was that at Everest, it didn't matter how you'd prepped or what you ate, every single person in her group got sick at one time or another.  Altitude?  Water?  Who knows, but that part didn't sound like fun.

[Gardening Grandma]

Sept 23, 2013 12:09:28 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Sept 22, 2013 18:38:36 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

I'm a little concerned about this upcoming trip (we are leaving Oct 2 for Nepal &Bhutan). I expect western style toilets in our hotels, but as I get older it is getting more difficult to get up....  

Oh GG!!! I'm so jealous!! Did you post about what you are doing there? I missed it. Please have a wonderful time and please please post some pictures when you get back. Those are both places on my bucket list!! (and Everest basecamp + anapurna circuit).

I don't think I posted about it because for months, everything has been up in the air with DH's cancer.  But he seems to be doing well (due for a CT scan in Nov) so, baring unforseen circumstances, we are leaving Oct 2.

9 days in Nepal.  I'm not fit enough for serious trekking, but we plan an aerial tour including Mt Everest, weather permitting, a river rafting day on the Bhote Koshi, some short hikes, a drive to Pokkhara (we've hired a car, driver and guide) and sightseeing around Kathmandu.  Then flying to Paro for 12 days in Bhutan including a drive into the interior for two major festivals of Bumthang: The Jambaylakhang (18-22 Oct, 2013) and the Prakar Monastery (19-21 Oct, 2013).

We do plan to do the hike to Takstang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) - I hope I can make it..... 
Coming home routing through Bangkok so planned 3 nights there to just hang and/or sightsee depending on how we are feeling.
Sure, I'll post pics.... Plan to take a lot, LOL

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Sept 23, 2013 5:13:07 GMT -5 milee said:

Sept 22, 2013 19:13:01 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Or some of us have joints that don't allow us to do so.

Good point about the joints.  Wonder what the locals with uncooperative joints do? 

They find toilets.  Fortunately, there was only one place where I was stuck in the 3+ weeks we were there.  

I was at a very small airport in Turkey and the ladies room had one of each.  Not even the young Turkish women would use the holes.  There was a line for the single toilet.

[simser]

GG- if you do nothing else in Bangkok (and you haven't already been) go to the grand palace. It has been my favorite man made structure I've seen in all of my travels. It will take between 2-4 hours, so not too much if all you want to do is veg.

[Sam_2.0]

@athena - I will go with you  I went in college and I really want to go back! Our friends are Indian and they are trying to talk DH into going on a trip back with them (that couple + DH and I). Hopefully we can pull that off in a few years

[Gardening Grandma]

Thanks, simser. Noted and at top of list.  

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2013 19:13:01 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Sept 22, 2013 17:26:54 GMT -5 milee said:

Anywhere I've been with both "western" and squatty potties, the squatty potties have been more sanitary.  Nothing to touch or clean.  I wish some of the American rustic areas (like national parks, for example) would consider installing them since they'd be easier to clean - just hose them down - and more sanitary, but I think most Americans are too heavy or lazy to use them.

Or some of us have joints that don't allow us to do so.

We ran into them in Turkey.

You don't even have to have bad joints. After hiking all day in Croatia, it was no fun to be doing "squats".

I remember running into my first one in a wine bar in Paris in the mid 70s. I tried to pretend it was a very, very low porta potty. Don't touch anything!

[HoneyBBQ]

GG - when you go to the grand palace in Bk - do NOT let anyone tell you it is closed, or there is construction, or a national holiday, or whatever. It's a scam that people use to take you to another "palace" with a trip en route to their cousin's jewelry store.  It's always open lol.

Have a wonderful time!!! Be safe and please post pics!

[Gardening Grandma]

Thanks honeybbq. I will keep that in mind... Funny how the scams are different all over the world...

[sarcasticgirl]

all i can think about is the amazing food you'll be able to eat!  

[Gardening Grandma]

Amazing food in Nepal? I'm not really sure what to expect.

[sarcasticgirl]

Sept 26, 2013 17:24:00 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

Amazing food in Nepal? I'm not really sure what to expect.

There is an amazing restaurant near me that does Indian and Nepalese food (appropriately named the Himalayan). The Nepalese dishes that I have tried have not disappointed. I could eat momos all day long.
And the food in Thailand... My mouth waters just thinking about it.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards

[Gardening Grandma]

sarcasticgirl
Can you suggest other Nepalese dishes? I am completely ignorant about Nepali food...

[sarcasticgirl]

ARGH! i lost my post!

From what we've been told by the people who run our favorite place (natives of nepal)- depending on the area of nepal, the food can have a lot of indian influence or chinese influence. so you get a lot of those flavors in the dishes. we were told a common daily meal is veggie curry/beans/rice. You can find a lot of indian food available too, so if you are more comfortable with that cuisine, it should not be an issue.
They said you can always get common indian and chinese dishes like somosas, pani puris, chowmeins .

Kukhura-chicken
Khasi- goat
Tarkari-  veggie curry 
momos- little dumplings, usually veggie, goat or chicken
dal- lentil soup with spices 

I usually get Kukhura Ko Masu- which is Chicken curry...
my hubs tried Khasi Ko Masu and liked it. I just don't prefer goat. 

There are some dishes with aloo (or alu)? I can't remember the exact name but it means potato... and I have had 3 or 4 different dishes, all good.  i generally find potato to be a safe choice. 

I have only had nepalese food from two places. Both run by natives of Nepal. From the clientele... you know it is pretty authentic. I love the culture in food and always ask questions and talk to the staff when I can. 

[Deleted]

Sept 27, 2013 12:20:53 GMT -5 sarcasticgirl said:

There are some dishes with aloo (or alu)? I can't remember the exact name but it means potato... and I have had 3 or 4 different dishes, all good.  i generally find potato to be a safe choice. 

I have only had nepalese food from two places. Both run by natives of Nepal. From the clientele... you know it is pretty authentic. I love the culture in food and always ask questions and talk to the staff when I can. 

I went to a Nepalese restaurant in India.  There was no silverware.  Everything was scooped up with bread! Well, when in Rome.

My favorite Indian dish is palak paneer.  It's chunks of a white cheese (they describe paneer as "cottage cheese") in a spinach sauce.  I can't explain why but I love it.