Ask MetaFilter Questions About India

What Gift from India?

cjorgensen — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 18:25:41 GMT

I live in the Midwest (if it matters) and I have a friend going home to India. He's offered to bring me back something. I don't want to miss an opportunity to get something I can't get in Iowa.

Contrary to popular belief we can get most things here. Many of the things I would want I doubt he can get through customs (booze, food). I would want the expense to be reasonable and the item to be easily transported.

So what do I ask for besides a baby elephant?

He's from Nellore, South India.

How do I keep running in India?

quadrilaterals — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:42 GMT

I'm traveling to India for two weeks, and am also training for a ten-miler. Help?

It's decently likely I will find myself in India for two weeks this month. However, I'm currently training for an April 7 10-miler, and I would like to keep running. A few points.

1. I will be in Delhi part of the time. Are there places to run outdoors? Indoors? I will be staying at a guest house, so no gym there.
2. I will be in 2-3 other cities, to be determined (illustrative examples: Darjeeling, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Pune). Will it be weird if I am running outside there?
3. How can I track my mileage? I've been using an iPhone app to map my run, but can't use 4G abroad. Is it time for a Garmin-thingy?
4. Any other tips / thoughts?

I'm traveling to India (New Delhi), for business in a week. Need advice!

PetiePal — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:26:41 GMT

It's my first time out of the USA, and I don't know what to pack!

I am an IT manager whose job is to train offshore support overseas. I have a trip to New Delhi, (Gurgaon) coming up in the next two weeks. I've never been overseas or out of the country really, (except for the Bahamas or Bermuda as a kid) Got a lot of questions:

1. Climate? What type of clothes should I pack? I did a few weather reports and saw 60s-70s. Does it get chilly at all? Would a sweatshirt be prudent etc?

2. Type of dress? (On the weekends would I be fine wearing shorts, or would you recommend more like long pants like jeans?) I know that covering the lower parts of your body tends to be more culturally acceptable, especially if I visit someplace like the Taj Mahal etc. I will likely be in business shirt/pants attire for most of the time in office at least.

3. AC/Power Adapters/Voltage converters. How many should I purchase-one, two, three? I will likely have a few electronics with me such as laptop, iPad and some other things I need to charge. Is it smart to have more than one of these and perhaps a small power strip surge protector to multiply outlets?

4. Phone. I'll be using Skype while there, but I am looking into getting a world compatible phone for use while there. Are there prepaid SIMs I can easily purchase while there? I'm considering grabbing something like a Nexus 4 or smartphone I can use while there and then possibly as my business phone back in the states. Any recommendations?

5. Suitcase. I have a 28" hard shell suitcase, one of those really light ones. I'll be there for 2 weeks, and I know there's a 50lb weight limit. I'm planning on bringing some sort of backpack/daypack as well for my laptop/tablet/etc.

What are other things I should bring for the plane trip? I was considering a really compact blanket and maybe one of those neck pillows. I don't really sleep on transportation but for a 17-18 hour flight I may have to try. Should I get a money belt and keep my passport on my person at all times?

Anything else you can recommend is highly appreciated.

India -- gift guidance

ClaudiaCenter — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:20:15 GMT

ISO gift guidance for meetings with disability rights advocates in Mumbai.

I am traveling to India next month. During the second half of my trip, I will be meeting with disability rights advocates in Mumbai (and perhaps LGBT advocates, although I have not yet gotten confirmation on those meetings). Should I bring gifts? Maybe for the organizers (as opposed to everyone). Cool disability rights themed or other ideas? Don't want anything too big to weigh down my luggage.

RIP Ravi Shankar

Flamingo — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 04:46:02 GMT

Going to India in two weeks and I need some answers to some fairly basic questions.

A group of five friends and I are heading to India on Christmas, starting in New Delhi and then travelling through Rajasthan. We're pretty well prepared, but I have a few basic questions that for some reason I can't really find the answers to.

A) Socks. I have seen recommendations to wear shoes that require socks so you can tuck your pants into them to avoid mosquitoes. Aside from sounding really attractive, is this really done? Is it necessary? I know mosquitoes are nothing to cuss with, but, really?

B) Shoes. Obviously depending on the answer to the above question, I was thinking of wearing Toms and/or boat shoes. I am a lady. Does this sound appropriate? What other shoe types should I consider? I know I should bring at least two pairs. (FYI we are going to be using camping-style backpacks.)

C) Chai. I have, of course, heard the warnings about consuming local water, but I really want to try authentic chai. Is this a fools errand? Would a water purifier wand (example) be useful? (Can those things even work on hot water-based beverages?)

D)LADY ALONE. The group was unable to book our travel at the same time and as it shakes out, I will be alone in New Delhi for one day. We will be staying in a nice hotel so I plan to have the hotel request my cab to the airport. The answers to this ask.mefi question gave the impression that I should just write my will out now and say my goodbyes to all loved ones. True/False? I feel like I'll probably be fine, especially since it's only for one day, but I'll gladly accept my fate should it shake down that way.

E)Long, long flights. Any tips on surviving the 20+ hours of travel would be appreciated. We are not taking laptops/kindles/etc., but we will have iPhones/iPods/books and I am planning on sleeping as much as possible. Is that reasonable? Is there something else I should think of?

I'm super excited for this trip and with your help (hinthint) it could be great.

What should i pack and what should i do - India/Yoga edition

moreteaplease — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:06:38 GMT

Going to a retreat in Kerala in Jan 2013. What do i need to take with me so i'm not the ill-equipped and inappropriate lady everyone rolls their eyes at? (Daytime is yoga and ayuverda therapy, weekends off for sightseeing, eating out down the beach or in the local town in the evening) Also, any recommendations of sightseeing and anything interesting to read beforehand?

I am taking a trip for 2 weeks (Kovalem, Kerala) which will include yoga classes and some general massage/therapies and free time for sightseeing. Breakfast is where i'm staying but i'll be getting lunches and dinners out locally.

Classes and therapy are early morning and early evening so i also have some day time to fill. I guess i will read, swim, laze on the beach etc but will probably also want to have a wander round/do a few things that take a half day-a day in/around Kovalem.

We have a long weekend break halfway through in which i want to get out and explore a little. I would like to stay around the general area as i dont want to spend a long time on buses/trains etc when i,m only there a short amount of time (def not interested in goa or doing a breakneck speed trip up to agra with flights). I'm thinking maybe do a backwater boat trip or something, maybe visit cochin.

Basically i have no idea what, or how much, to take with me - what clothes are suitable for doing yoga (and in that heat)? I dont massively want to spend out on loads of new stuff and i'm not bothered about looking fancy. Do people do yoga in shorts or is it all the flowy long cotton pants deal? what do you wear on top (again in that heat)? i loathe tshirts but is a vest too clingy? If i am doing one 2 hour session itne morning and one 2 hour session in the early evening, everyday, then how many yoga 'outfits' do i need? I'm guessing there will be laundry facilities but i dont want to be doing that all the time.

Also any tips on what to take for evenings and sightseeing when i will be off and about? I wouldnt want to be all skimpy or dressed up but i know its going to be hot so i dont want to be fully covered all the time. I hear kerala is kind of relaxed but not so informal maybe as goa or the backpacker filled thai islands.

Sightseeing - any recommendations for doing stuff close to kovalem in the day, how about stuff that is still close but i could do over the long weekend so could include staying over a night. I dont want to spend more than £200 (little over $300) during the long weekend but also dont want to 'rough it' so to speak - i dont want to be cooking my own stuff or doing a camping/homestay sidetrip. I like to look at stuff rather than 'do' stuff, i like the water, i like animals, i like eating new things, i dont mind walking but i do not like hiking in hot countries, i like markets.

Reading - i'm willing to just let the yoga be a learning experience there and i will pick up a copy of the lonely planet or similar for a crash course in the area, indian history, practical stuff about money, greetings etc but what would be nice to read to give me a feel for Kerala before i go? A novel is good but i'm happy with a non-fiction memoir too.

Anything else you think i should know/pack/prepare for?

I am a woman in early 30s, never been to India before but have travelled and lived in other asian countries, travelled in europe by myself etc. so i'm not worried about the being somewhere new or the by myself aspect, just want to make sure i prepare and get the best out of a short trip. There will be a few other women that i can hook up with at the yoga place if trips work better in groups so feel free to suggest those too.

tldr - what to wear for yoga in a hot country, what to pack for kerala in january generally, what shouldnt i miss doing/seeing in kerala, what books would be interesting to read beforehand?

Thanks!

Looking for advice on taking short business trips to far places. (And maybe extending those trips for non-business visiting)

ManInSuit — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 23:10:54 GMT

Looking for advice on taking short business trips to far places. (And maybe extending those trips for non-business visiting)

I have a couple of chances to go, if I choose to, on work-related trips to some places that are farther than I've ever traveled. Right now - one to Davao City, Philippines, one to Istanbul.

I live in Toronto and have never traveled anywhere farther than Western Europe, in my forty-some years, so these trips are unfamiliar to me!

Both trips would require me to do less than a day of work at the destinations. (In each case, I'd be getting flown in to give a short talk at a conference.). But my thought is that maybe I can add a couple of days to spend on my own.

These seem like great opportunities to see more of the world that I've already seen. I'd like to see Istanbul. And while, as far as I know, I'm not dying to see Davao City, I thought maybe I could use the find a flight to Davao that goes via somewhere I'd be keen so see, and try to arrange the travel so I spend a couple of days there. (I had thought I could arrange to travel via Hong Kong, which I'd love to see, but I think I may have misunderstood. It looks like most flights to Davao go via Vancouver and Manila).

I'm not 100% sure whether I want to do this, and am trying to get some more information to help me decide. Some questions:

- What's it like flying halfway around the world for a short visit? Is that just an exhausting, crazy thing to do? Are there ways to make it easier? What would you think is a minimum stay to justify a trip like that?

- Do people have suggestions/experiences about extending these sorts of business trips to include some opportunities to see things on your own? Is it possible/impractical to do that in a city that's a stop-over city as opposed to a destination city? (I got sort of stuck on the idea that the trip to the Philippines could be my opportunity to see a really massive Asian city like HK. Is there any way that could be practical?)

- Any specific recommendations about the particular places I am going to? Is Istanbul amazing? Is Davao city great? Manila? I realize these are sort of subjective, but I'm interested in responses.

Thanks!

Emirates experience anyone?

pakora1 — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:28:38 GMT

Emirates Airline?

We are travelling on a long haul flight on Emirates next month (ecornomy) and wondering about the comfort level and other experiences you all could share. Haven't booked tickets yet but looking at Emirates and other airlines. We have heard that the seats are really bunched up and may be smaller than what other airlines offer.

Questions-

What has your experience with Emirates in an economy class been like (US to Dubai ideally but any other experience is welcome)

Can you suggest an alternate airline to Bombay that worked really well for you (economy)

Thanks al!

How do I arrange a day boat cruise in alappuzha, India?

The Ted — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:24:43 GMT

Three friends and I are staying in Cochin this January. We want to take the train to alappuzha for a day. Most of the online searches I've done have involved multi-day house boat cruises. Has anyone taken a day cruise in alappuzha, and if so, how did you arrange it?

Cheap, safe and in New Delhi- any ideas

Tamanna — Tue, 22 May 2012 07:29:51 GMT

Where can a single woman stay in Delhi for a few days that's both cheap and safe?

A friend wants to spend a few days in Delhi (24th-28th of this month) and needs a place to stay. She's a single woman in her early 20s and is pretty concerned about safety. Plus she doesn't have much money and would prefer to spend under Rs 1000 a night. Location doesn't matter as long as it's reasonably close to a metro station, but she'd prefer to avoid anything too far out of the way. Central/South Delhi would be nice, but other locations are good, too.

Any help would be much appreciated.

India Travel Tips

melizabeth — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:34:58 GMT

Solo traveling in northern India. What should I know/prepare? Is it safe for women travelers?

Planning a 2 week trip to northern India in July. I'd like to know everything I should expect for travel in India--

-recommended attire (conservative I'd imagine)
-travel tips getting around on budget (train, plane, bus??)
-good eats
-places to check out (I enjoy outdoor/nature attractions opposed to cities). so far, I am interested in Varanasi, Agra, Delhi.. any national parks/preserves you would recommend?
-border crossing from nepal into india- how did you do it?

And finally a lingering overhead question.. is India REALLY safe for woman solo travelers? I've read and heard mixed reviews. Some people recommend in a group and other women have had some horrible experiences. I can adhere to not staying out late at night, leaving food/drinks unattended.. will I be OK?

kicked out of india!

genmonster — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:10:48 GMT

I'm in Mumbai. I just found out my visa situation in India is not ok. I need to speak to an expert about this. Who should I call or where should I go?

So I've got a student visa valid for 6 months. I'm studying for one month, then made very expensive plans for travel in India for another 3 weeks. I just registered today (a requirement on my visa) and was told that I must leave the country within 7 days of the end of my studies. Beyond the expense, I'm meeting my mom when traveling, and I think it would break her heart if our trip-of-a-lifetime was cancelled. At this point I'm willing to do anything- fly anywhere- pay anything- to make this work out. BUT who should I call or meet? I need professional help at this point. I've already posted on indiamike , but haven't had much luck with people being helpful there.

Medical help in Delhi

specialk420 — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:20:06 GMT

Suggestions for help finding medical attention/doctor in Delhi?

As previously mentioned my girlfriend (now fiancee) is in Delhi doing research work and has fallen ill, as of tonight we're worried that it may be getting a little more serious - though she's at home stable now. Curious if this crowd might offer any suggestions to help her get the care/help she may need tomorrow?

Best vacay evar!

bardic — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:27:47 GMT

India! Where should I go? What should I do?

I have February off. I want to go to India. I know it's a big country and I can't "do" the entirety of it with 3-4 weeks so, lovely hivemind, what would be the perfect itinerary for a solo traveler who will be on a bit of a budget, but not something too restrictive?

I will have a backpack and some clothes and some money. That's about it. I like to walk around and take pictures. I'd love to eat some "real" Indian food, the spicier the better. Also, I'd really like to see the Taj Mahal.

Specifically, as I price plane tickets, where should I fly into and where should I depart from (coming home to Seoul, South Korea)?

Travel with Golf Set

jassi — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:45:41 GMT

Carrying a golf set from New York to New Delhi

Hi, Iam planning to buy a golf set, and carrying it with me to India. Does anyone have any experience carrying a golf-set when travelling by plane? Does one has to pay extra, if you already have two check-in bags? I know I should be calling the air-lines (Emirates) but just generally looking for comments if people do this often. Anyone here who has done this?