Hi there,
I am a Canadian woman travelling through in India for 5
weeks beginning August 1st. I am looking for some travel advice
from any helpful souls who wish to provide it.
1) Currently, I am set to arrive in Mumbai and have a 2-day
stopover before connecting up to Delhi. Is the stopover worth it
or should I just head right up to Delhi and then north from there?
My time is limited and I want to concentrate on the north. Is
a mere 2 days in Mumbai worth it?
2) Any recommendations for good clean, safe accomodations in either Mumbai,
Delhi or Varanasi -- preferably places that cater to other backpackers?
3) I've had people recommend that I take very little in the
way of western clothes and have a couple of Indian style outfits
made for me when I get there. What does this cost (Can or US $)?
Does it really cut down on the harrassment factor or is it
equally effective to just dress Western conservative (pants and
sleeves)?
4) What should I expect from the monsoon rains? I've heard
everything from "oh, it only rains for a couple of hours a day" to
"Get ready to go swimming". What is the truth?
5) Finally -- anyone out there contract Dengue fever in India?
I have suffered from it once before (Central America) and am
a teeny bit worried as I hear the second time around it's
worse.
I'll leave off there. If you can answer any or all of these
questions, I would be very appreciative. Thanks
[There are 5 posts - the latest was added on Wed 26 May, 10:26]
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hello
just an answer for you on how to dress in india the
best way.
i have been to india many times and for me it has
worked out at the best to dress the indian way.
that is loose pyjama-like trousers, over these
a long tunic. it is called salwar kameez.
a tailor has made mine very cheaply up in the north,
perhaps you have to pay more in the big cities?
anyway perhaps you pay something like 8 - 10
US dollar including material and the payment to the
tailor. i do not no if and where you can buy them
readymade? i have only seen that in the south of
india.
anyway i found it much easier to dress that way,
especially indian woman liked it. started to talk to
me-what a lovely dress you have etc. and in that
way we started a conversation....
hope i have helped you in some way?
if you dress westernstyle,nothing seethrough,
my indian friends has told me
bye bye
Dear Dawn
I have read some boring posts on this branch of the Thorn
Tree - but your's takes the biscuit.
Where can we start - could be here all night. You are a
woman - SO WHAT???
What is this travelling no sense with a capital T -
caravans? Camp fires? Or getting from A to B with a bit in
the middle just like all the other mundane tourists
clenching their LP guide books (note - they look more
credible when dirty and with turned up edges).
Look love, you can afford to take time out touring the
world - is the couple of hundred Rs either side of the
price of an outfit really going to break you?
Cheers for now
bc
Hi Dawn,
wish I could help more, but have never been in India during
monsoon, and have never been to Bombay.
As far as Delhi goes, I would reccomend staying at the
Metropolis on tha Main Bazaar in Paharganj (opposite end of
street from train station) You can walk ther from the
train, or very cheap via rickshaw. The metropolis isn't the
cheapest (about 300Rs), but it is clean, safe and has air
con. Also you could stay there one night and then look
around for something cheaper the next day. Across the road
from it is the Starview, cheaper, clean etc. i've stayed at
both, but there are many hotels on the bazar.
In Varanassi, the best bet may be to get a rickshaw to drop
you at the main ghat (Dasseswhamedh) and head into a
restaurant for a cool drink, ask some of the other
travelers there for reccomendations. There are many
interesting hotels down by the ghats, but finding them is
somewhat difficult, the streets are a maze.
I agree with the above post on dress. Take enough
clothes for a day or two, and have a few salwar kemeez made
for you. On the main bazar in paharganj, Delhi there are
shops that sell them ready to wear, but the quality isn't
that good. Not much of a concern, but the synthetic fabric
might be itchy and hot, better to get some cotton ones made.
Hope this helps. if you want to ask more questions feel
free to e-mail me, glad to help a fellow Canadian.If you're
really bored :), or just interested, I have a website about
my most recent trip to india with my 2 kids
www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Lagoon/3220/
Take care and happy traveling
Sharon in Canada
Seems most of your other questions have been answered, bar
the one on Mumbai. I'd recommend you stay ther for at least
a week if you can possibly afford the time. Mumbai isn't the
nicest place in the world to go for just 2 days, but it does
grow on you. Too many people leave Mumbai after only having
stayed there for a short time and hate it.
Thank you for the information I requested. It was quite helpful.
And Mr. Bob Cheese -- you may be comfortable taking off without
a care or inkling of what you are going to encounter, but some
of us like to do a little research beforehand. What is the harm
in that. I really can't understand what I wrote that so offended you.
It seems to me that the Thorn Tree, although mostly very useful, is
also breeding gound for some very cynical souls who have nothing
better to do than "poo poo" the plans and inquiries of others.
"Cheers" Bob!