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Post by spiritualbhakti on Jul 18, 2009 12:53:43 GMT -6
This is my first thread.  I hope to gain advice on planning a trip to india. If anyone has practical knowledge or tips on managing financial advice, that would be great. PLEASE HELP    |
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Post by Travel Tips on Jul 19, 2009 8:41:39 GMT -6
Here's a piece of advice for you: Find somewhere else to travel. Really. Unless you ready for some major hassles and inconveniences, there are so many other places to go where you'll have a lot better travel experience.
Oh, and all that hocus pocus about the so-called "holy places" - there is always Sedona, Arizona.
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Post by JD33 on Jul 19, 2009 9:19:11 GMT -6
One tip might be to arrainge to have someone send money to you by Western Union - which from USA is very cheap way to send. Then you can understand how much money you will want after spending several weeks or months there. In the begining it is good to have travelers checks and some cash as well....... hope this helps and feel free to email me for other kinds of advice if you want.
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Post by Safe Journey on Jul 19, 2009 9:25:37 GMT -6
Travel Tips, why so rude? Spiritualbhakti obviously wants to travel to India not Arizona or any other place. If that were the case he/she would have asked for travel tips to anywhere.
In any case its true travelling in India can be difficult for westerners but for those who have faith in the holy dhams its well worth the inconveniences. The main thing always is avoid uncooked food, drink only bottled water, keep your money and passport very safe with you at all times, keep safe and healthy in general. In the holy places, look for the company of sadhus, saintly people who will give you a spiritual perspective of the places and their significance.
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Post by malati on Jul 19, 2009 16:50:45 GMT -6
Pranaams
Jai Sri Radhe Krishna
We have not forgotten you.
I suppose that you are travelling to go to the dham for sadhu danga. Travelling with a companion is better than just by yourself, especially if it’s your first time in a country.
When I went to India first time I was travelling on my own and always have been that way. But I have always been the adventurous type. But this has a drawback, you have to always be on your toes thinking if it’s the proper decision. A second opinion is always handy!
Some tips:
Before travelling, make inquiries. Make sure you have the exact address of the person/place/ashram/temple you want to visit. Take note of the exact names of people connected to them. Take note of landmarks near the temple/ashram you want to visit.
It is advisable to travel to your destination like Vrindaban, Radha Kunda for example , in the daytime. It may take 4 hours on the taxi. If you arrived at the airport in the dead of night. Stay the night over either in the airport or in a motel /hotel nearby.
Make sure you carry your passport and money at all times with you. A money bag to put passport, a/c cards, cash, is helpful because you can strap it on your body without it getting very conspicuous. It is also a good idea (if you have the facility) to use your credit card or bring traveller’s cheques (Oz spelling). They are safer. Travellers cheques are not very costly to buy . If they got stolen they can be replaced or barred from being used. Many shops all over India accept credit card. Some shops in Vrindaban also take credit card. But of course small shops like in in Loi Bazaar or in Radha kunda won’t do that.
If you need to exchange cash don’t do it by one go. Carrying heaps of money is a big attraction to undesirable elements of the society. I have learned my lesson because one time someone nicked from my bunch of cash around $1700 rupees from in-between the time when I boarded a taxi from the airport to when I realized that, 24 hours after I have settled in at my place of accommodation.
Don’t be fanatic regarding your health. Be responsible for your self. If you feel you need to rest , then rest. Making yourself worst may take away from the time and energy of people who could have used them for other worthwhile purposes. It’s preferable to drink only bottled water while in India.
Bring medicines from your home country just in case. like paracetamol, cough syrup. when I got sick in Navadwip the medicine that I bought in Navadwip pharmacy did not seem to be working. Maybe it’s because of my physical constituents or my body’s conditioning to medicines I take in Australia.
I don’t want to shatter your idealism. I love Indian devotees very much. I love the Indian people but people that rip-off can be anywhere . Be mindful at all times and make sure you know the person enough before trusting over your valuables or lending money to them. You might not see them again.
Bring more than enough money for your trip. Make allowances for contingencies, like medical expenses, gifts/ donations , etc. I think it is very responsible if we come there ready and not hassle people with borrowing money.
Don’t be stingy to locals like the tricycle drivers, etc. You hear westerners say just pay him 5-10 rupees. I don’t agree with that. I always pay them above the market rate like 25-30. I think its better to give than to receive. Besides when you see them paining, struggling to pedal with the full weight of the machine, you just know it’s the right thing to do , to pay them more.
Be friendly to the locals. Asians by nature are friendly. The western society is more individualistic but Asian culture is more community focused. Of course there are advantages and disadvantageous on both sides .
Respect their customs and tradition. When in Rome do as the Romans do so long as it is not compromising Vaishnava ideals I guess. If possible wear local clothes. They will love you for it and they will complement you for it “ You look like a beautiful Radha dasi”.
Lastly, talk to Krishna if you need reassurance and if you have a relationship with a mahatma there find inspiration from him/her to get you through your days there.
Have a fruitful and safe journey!
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Post by Sakhicharan Das on Jul 19, 2009 20:22:57 GMT -6
Some people are mentioning the use of traveler's cheques and credit cards, but those are actually quite inconvenient. Use your debit card at an ATM instead. ATMs are easy to find, in fact there is even one at Radhakund now.  Of course make sure to tell your bank you will be in India and using your debit card there, otherwise due to all the fraud in this part of the world your bank may deny your withdrawal. |
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Post by VS on Jul 20, 2009 12:50:20 GMT -6
Don’t be stingy to locals like the tricycle drivers, etc. You hear westerners say just pay him 5-10 rupees. I don’t agree with that. I always pay them above the market rate like 25-30. I think its better to give than to receive. Besides when you see them paining, struggling to pedal with the full weight of the machine, you just know it’s the right thing to do , to pay them more.Please DO NOT listen to that advise. It makes it really difficult on those of us who reside in India permanantly or semi-permanantly to live within our simple means, as the locals do. If the going rate for a bicycle rickshaw from point A to point B is 10 ruppees and you want to give more - give 2 or maxium 3 ruppees more. 
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2009 23:34:49 GMT -6
A couple tips from me: 1. Always carry a flashlight with you in case the electricity goes out and you are caught outside. An American girl I know fell in the naali during an outage... up to her knees in sewage and even lost her passport in the muck! (She got it back in the end). On another dark night a truck drove over a particularly wide open sewer in my neighborhood and tipped over right into the poopies. 2. If you buy veg, fruit, etc. in Braja, keep them in an opaque bag. If you carry your groceries in a plastic bag there´s a good chance the monkeys will come and tear open your bag, scattering your stuff all over the street... then the other monkeys come and have a feast. 3. Stay away from baby monkeys to avoid mother´s wrath! 4. If a small to mid-size monkey tries to intimidate you, pick up a rock. Even if you just mime picking up a rock, they will usually run. Stay away from the big monkeys... If a big monkey attacks you, you may just be toast! Consider carrying a monkey stick with you. 5. RELAX! Sometimes there won´t be electricity or water, sometimes the neighbors will blast loud music. That´s the way it is, and we can either go with the flow or go crazy! 6. IMHO If you want to help Brijwasis best to give to an organization like Sandipani Muni School, rather than giving money directly to local people. Since coming to work at SMS I have learned what to look for, and realized that some folks I thought were so poor in Radhakunda were not so poor after all... they have 1 or 2 buffalos, a field with wheat, their own simple house and a father with all four limbs intact. And all their kids are going to school.... For women: 1. I have been advised not to talk loudly or laugh outside my neighborhood, even amongst friends. Because in local culture (U.P. and other North India), if you talk friendly with shopkeepers they will think you are ¨a loose woman.¨ Gangotri and other big shops in Loi Bazaar are an exception. -- In America we laugh and joke with everyone. It´s been quite a hard habit to break, really.  2. If you cover your hair with the end of your saree men will likely assume you are married. Makes sexual harassment far less likely! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2009 3:41:48 GMT -6
I forgot my best tip: when traveling by train, order the Jain meal. Jains don't eat anything that grows underground, including onions and garlic.
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Post by Ldd on Nov 15, 2009 6:14:13 GMT -6
you all need to publish a handbook of travel tips. they are really great.
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Post by Ldd on Nov 15, 2009 6:16:14 GMT -6
Main tip.. you can't look or sound naive or stupid. In other words you have to research everything beforehand.
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Post by Sakhicharan Das on Nov 15, 2009 9:04:32 GMT -6
Bisakha is right about bringing a flashlight. Flashlights bought here are generally crap quality and not dependable. I would add that it should use AA batteries. Other sizes can be hard to find.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2009 0:38:42 GMT -6
But I love my local-wale box torch!
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Post by Sakhicharan Das on Nov 16, 2009 6:59:23 GMT -6
Here is a local wale box torch after one week of use. Notice the black tape, rubber bands, and the sticky-tack taken from the dieties drawer holding it together. All these fixes are needed so that so light actually comes out of it when you turn it on. (sometimes) It's your choice what kind of gear you prefer to use, but I'd probably go with Maglite. ;D |
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Post by spiritualbhakti on Nov 17, 2009 21:45:01 GMT -6
Wow thats interesting!!
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Of course make sure to tell your bank you will be in India and using your debit card there, otherwise due to all the fraud in this part of the world your bank may deny your withdrawal. 
