So you are heading to India, prepare yourself for an experience like no other.
From stepping off the plane at Dehli airport and being hit by the heat - something i'd experienced in America however it wasn't as hot! To then getting bombarded by rickshaw walla's "Auto Ma'am?", "Hotel Ma'am?" and people pushing past in all directions - its definatly not a country for the faint hearted. However, there are ways to make the experience easier instead of turning around and heading straight back home.
Tip Number One -
Make sure you get some of your money exchanged at the airport. Having some rupee's to last you until you can find somewhere with a better exchange rate or at least an ATM (State Bank ATM's work with most foreign cards) may not always be as easy as you think!
Tip Number Two -
If you are arriving in Delhi and staying there initially it may be worth booking a hotel online before you leave home (not forgetting to make a note of the hotel and address). Particularly if you do not have anyone you know to stay with in Delhi. This will detract the rickshawwalla's trying to take you to endless hotels which may or may not have room for you at 'special tourist rates' which they probably take a cut from for taking you there which basically means your getting ripped off.
Tip Number Three -
Use the prepaid taxi and rickshaw booths - there is less chance of you getting ripped off particularly if its your first visit to india. Make sure you know where your heading - if you can share a ride with others it makes it cheaper.
Tip Number Four -
Ditch the luggage and go and explore. Trying to explore Dehli with your luggage is not necessarly the best idea - it makes you an easy target for the locals trying to sell you a whole range of odditites. So once you reach that hotel room and have freshened up - go see what its all about, the experience will be less stressful without your suitcase. I didn't do too much exploring of Delhi as I'm not a lover of cities however the lotus temple was amazing and well worth the wait in the line that seemed to go for miles and miles. Big bags get in the way and draw attention to you. If you can travel light and ditch the wheelie suitcases a tough durable rucksac allows for optimum manourearbility and ease of travel.
Tip Number Five -
Females - ditch the western tight, low cut tops - modesty is what it is all about -unless you want to be constantly stated at! If you feel you can ditch western clothes completely then head to the local market and get some good deals on traditional indian dress. Most the indian dress is fairly inexpensive - and it is also cooler which is more suitable to the change of climate. It's also stunning - some of the fabrics and colours are amazing.
So thats all for now - Maybe with these few tips you might get through the initial shock of being in india - and not want to get straight back on the plane home, allowing you to start experiencing the delightful range of sights and smells you will never experience anywhere else in the world.
From stepping off the plane at Dehli airport and being hit by the heat - something i'd experienced in America however it wasn't as hot! To then getting bombarded by rickshaw walla's "Auto Ma'am?", "Hotel Ma'am?" and people pushing past in all directions - its definatly not a country for the faint hearted. However, there are ways to make the experience easier instead of turning around and heading straight back home.
Tip Number One -
Make sure you get some of your money exchanged at the airport. Having some rupee's to last you until you can find somewhere with a better exchange rate or at least an ATM (State Bank ATM's work with most foreign cards) may not always be as easy as you think!
Tip Number Two -
If you are arriving in Delhi and staying there initially it may be worth booking a hotel online before you leave home (not forgetting to make a note of the hotel and address). Particularly if you do not have anyone you know to stay with in Delhi. This will detract the rickshawwalla's trying to take you to endless hotels which may or may not have room for you at 'special tourist rates' which they probably take a cut from for taking you there which basically means your getting ripped off.
Tip Number Three -
Use the prepaid taxi and rickshaw booths - there is less chance of you getting ripped off particularly if its your first visit to india. Make sure you know where your heading - if you can share a ride with others it makes it cheaper.
Tip Number Four -
Ditch the luggage and go and explore. Trying to explore Dehli with your luggage is not necessarly the best idea - it makes you an easy target for the locals trying to sell you a whole range of odditites. So once you reach that hotel room and have freshened up - go see what its all about, the experience will be less stressful without your suitcase. I didn't do too much exploring of Delhi as I'm not a lover of cities however the lotus temple was amazing and well worth the wait in the line that seemed to go for miles and miles. Big bags get in the way and draw attention to you. If you can travel light and ditch the wheelie suitcases a tough durable rucksac allows for optimum manourearbility and ease of travel.
Tip Number Five -
Females - ditch the western tight, low cut tops - modesty is what it is all about -unless you want to be constantly stated at! If you feel you can ditch western clothes completely then head to the local market and get some good deals on traditional indian dress. Most the indian dress is fairly inexpensive - and it is also cooler which is more suitable to the change of climate. It's also stunning - some of the fabrics and colours are amazing.
So thats all for now - Maybe with these few tips you might get through the initial shock of being in india - and not want to get straight back on the plane home, allowing you to start experiencing the delightful range of sights and smells you will never experience anywhere else in the world.
