It's very different. I was born there, but raised in America since 2, and have gone back to visit 5 times in my life. The first time I went back I was a young child, and found it shockingly different from America. I'll tell you all of the differences that could be kind of downsides first.
It's crowded (India has an overpopulation problem). Depending on what time of the year you go in, the weather can be a bit of a problem. For example, right now there are many areas that are flooded from monsoon rains. If you can pick, I suggest going between Nov.-April.
You'll need to be careful about where you eat and drink. Only drink bottled water, or if you stay in a nice hotel just ask for filtered water. Any food will be safe unless you buy it from a street vendor. Our stomachs are only used to bacteria in water over here. Take choloroquine (prevents malaria) starting 3 weeks before you go. It's a pill that you take once per week. And, then also once a week while you're there and up to 3 weeks after you return from there.
Now, the pluses! And, there are many. Shopping and spending money over there is cheap, cheap, cheap! When you convert the Amer. dollar to rupees it's like $1= 45 rupees. I loooove shopping for clothes over there! And, you can get a gourmet meal at a 5 star hotel for the equivalent of about $10.
Just about anywhere you go you'll find someone that speaks English. With the exception of the poor beggars, the rest of Indians are very educated.
Have a good trip!
2006-08-30 01:04:43
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answer #1
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answered by it's me! 6
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My only tip is prepare yourself. It certainly depends on what area you go to, but you will more than likely see a lot of poverty, homelessness, etc. If you're the kind of person that feels a large amount of compassion just from a single beggar on the streets of London then you may find it overwhelming. I haven't been to India in several years but I doubt much has changed. It can be very depressing, even more so if you're an animal lover too since there is a large number of strays in some areas too, although I have been informed this isn't as much of a problem as it used to be. The area I used to go to was Bombay (or Mumbai now).
Additional advice is don't drink the water, and be careful what you eat if unless you have a very strong stomach. Most restaraunts etc are fine, but don't expect to see and beef on the menu. McDonalds and Domino's Pizza have become popular there but lamb is used instead, however the best food for a real taste of India would be on of the stalls (kind of like burger bars), however you maybe paying for it for a few days!
India is divided unequally in terms of wealth. The rich live very comfortably whilst everyone else struggles, so if you're staying with friends on in hotels etc, you can probably expect all the mod cons that you might get over here.
Lastly be prepared for some exceptionally cheap prices on pretty much everything. Jewellery in particular is generally of a very high quality and very reasonable price, so if you can, stock up for future xmas/birthday presents!
Of course all of this depends on where exactly you are going.
P.S. Make sure when you are sleeping that no part of your body touches the mosquito net, or you might find yourself itching continuously the next day!
P.P.S. Above all else, HAVE FUN! It is an amazing place to go, just for a complete change of culture and environment, and whatever you do, I guarentee you will never forget it.
2006-08-30 00:48:03
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answer #2
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answered by Christian 2
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I was there in 2000 for about a month. I flew into Mumbai stayed there for a while. Purchased a train ticket to Delhi and stayed in Delhi for a while. Went with a cheap (ish) backpacking tour operator for a tour of Rajasthan including camel riding in the Thar desert and visiting the Taj Mahal.
Travelling by train is a fantastic experience in India, as is buying the train tickets in the first place.
Getting on and off trains in New Delhi is an experience. Be very careful as you will be taken advantage of by everyone there (even the porters)
Outside of Delhi in Rajasthan you will find that there are very little cons, and people are generally less likely to take advantage of you.
The holy city of Pushkar is well worth a visit. (it is quite touristy though). As it is a holy city alcohol is completely taboo. However , beware of a drink called Bhang Lassi which contains cannibis.
On the tour outside of Delhi in Rajasthan I visited Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Jaipur, and Agra amongst many other places on the way.
I travelled by train and bus/coach and occassionally by taxi or put put. A lot of the time walking was a good idea. Safety on the coach/bus is frightening, as is the traffic on Indian roads. However, you feel safer in a bus than in a car.
Travel light, and wear a backpack rather than a suitcase.
Come prepared for food poisoning at some point. I found I was mostly unaffected by it. I ate just about everywhere from street gutter food stalls, to hotel restaurants. The hotels which were not busy tended to cause the most food poisoning.
You may find that in some restaurants you have to drink beer from pots of tea, in tea cups. This is because it is not legal for them to serve beer.
2006-08-30 01:05:59
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answer #3
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answered by James 6
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Its a wonderful country with friendly people. U would love it. The odd things which u would find is with food and traffic. Its a lot different compared to western countries. Food is going to be very spicy but you can always get food without much spices too. Its not a good idea to visit India during summers i.e. April and May. Its very hot. The best time to visit would be from Jan to March and Sept to Dec. All the best for your trip!!
2006-08-30 00:47:09
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answer #4
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answered by Y H 1
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" they say it stinks. like people dont take a bath"
:)) What a funny Answer :))
Hey buddy wake up or have shower... you stink :))
Any how.. The answer is that India is the most fasted developing countries in the whole world right now. With the GDP of more than 800billion Dollars.
Its also the Biggest Democratic Country wher people of different religions live togather happily.
The country where every one likes to go atleast once in his/her life time.
You can search on www.incredibleindia.org or you can mail me if any help you need regarding travel to India.
2006-08-30 00:51:12
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answer #5
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answered by Sandy 2
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Monument
1.Tajmahal, Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri - In Agra (U.P.)
2. Red Fort, Old Fort, Qutab-Minar, Jantar Mantar - In Delhi
3. Forts in Rajasthan (also very rich culture).
4. Ajanta Ellora Caves (Buetiful Art & painting Work) in Maharashtra.
Great Himlaya Range and Lot of Hill Station in Kashmir, H.P. , Uttaranchal and North-Eastern States.
Religious/spiritual :
1. Haridwar (in uttaranchal)
2. Tamples (in all over india)
Heritage:
River : Ganga, Yamuna.
and a lot of things
Welcome to India.
2006-08-30 00:55:24
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answer #6
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answered by raka 3
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What Unites us: each little thing unites us, some examples from my PEANUT length mind: prepare: In a prepare we holiday with each caste, faith, area, and community with out a distinction. Water: no individual cares from the position is the water coming from, caste equipment does not end us from utilising the water even with if the water grant is taken care through any caste or faith. activities: I purely widen your get mutually and lined all the activities really than all the activities. faith: I have considered some Hindu temples in my city Indore, being managed and SERVED through Muslims, I have considered numerous Hindus frequently vacationing some Dargahs, church homes and Gurudwaras. I have considered numerous Sikhs in Veshno Devi temple and Vindhyachal temple in Mirzapur UP different temples. Love: Love for yet another Human (ideas you i do not advise the bollywood love yet I advise the love for human), is the first the biggest reason behind solidarity. Calamity and mess ups: on the time of Calamity and mess ups (and disaster), like Latur earthquake, 26/11, Mumbai flood we've considered all and dissimilar united combating mutually and helping one yet another. I have considered in 80 4 even as 2 Sikh households were sheltered in my living house in UP. And my kinfolk became not the exception. What disunites us: in ordinary words 2 issues, our selfishness and immaturity. when we enable our selfishness overtake our humanity that disunites us. when we get prompted through others, and get brainwashed and commence thinking others as different religious man or woman formerly human then the region begins. when we end utilising our mind and humanity then the region begins. in my opinion, interior each man or woman there's a human, and a devil. till, the human is more proper than devil, that diverse is reason behind solidarity, once the human turns into susceptible and devil turns into good, that diverse turns into the reason behind disunity.
2016-12-05 23:13:08
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answer #7
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answered by montogomery 3
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You have some excellent answers there. I pesume you are going travelling and not just to one place?
My best advice would be to be prepeared to see real poverty and real kindness. Don't be afraid or upset by beggars, we all feel sympathy for them, but when they target tourists and not locals you have to ask why. I gave money initially, but they decided not to and ignored them until they approached a local who gave- they know better who is genuine or not. I was there for 6 month, and ate street food and was never ill. Take it easy, ease yourself into it and have fun
2006-08-30 02:13:26
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answer #8
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answered by D 5
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Try Goa in india brilliant
2006-08-30 00:53:11
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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im from india , its like any other place in this world now it has become all western nothing to worry about. which place your coming in india if it is a metropolitan city like mumbai or delhi it is pretty easy for you to stay.
2006-08-30 00:43:03
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answer #10
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answered by Mr. Cool !!! 3
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