Only two weeks to go: books read and travel preparations

DianeN.

Only two weeks before my departure for India. I'm so thrilled...but rather bummed that my computer at home has died so I have hardly been able to read the messages on this forum...had to order a new computer...and with the trip in just two weeks can hardly afford that extra expense.

I'm a sort of maniac when it comes to books. In preparation for my trip, I have read the following:

A Fine Balance, Family Matters, City of Djins, A Suitable Boy (the send time), a number of Ruth Prawler Jahawbla (reread) books (Heat and Dust, A Backwards Place, The Householder)
Twilight in Delhi, Midnight's Children (half way through it--had it on my shelf for 20 years, but never could get into it before. It is a hard read, but actually pretty interesting...but have to concentrate on it) and a few others that I can't remember sitting here in my office.

I have also memorized the Lonely Planet guide to Rajasthan and their book on Delhi.

Travellers Tales was a very interesting book--the best of travel writing and such a variety of things in India. I wish I could write like that.

I also watched the video Ghandi and started watching A Passage to India, but got bored with that and quit after about an hour. The book is on my shelf--maybe I'll get to that after Midnight's Children.

Books I've read in the past, that have fueled my interest in India include God of Small Things, City of Joy, and possibly others I can't remember now.

Any other suggestions?? I don't know if I will have time to read them (or order them) before I go though.

I got my visa last week--was sort of a hassel because my daughter had forgotten to sign her name on the visa form--but luckily they let me fax the form to them later. Then in Japan you need to have your foreign registration card, but mine is in the process of being renewed--so I only had an official paper saying that mine is in the process of being renewed. At first I thought they would not accept that paper, but in the end they did.
But I wonder if that is why I only got a 3 month visa, single entry. It's OK, because I am only planning on going for three weeks, but I sort of thought that the tourist visas were good for six months.

I am spending one night in Taipei... does anyone know if I can leave my suitcases at the airport there? We will be travelling with a lot of things that my Indian friends have requested, but don't want to drag them to our hotel.

One thing on my itinary that probably no one else is doing is a visit to the Japanese school in Delhi where expat Japanese send their kids. Should be a rather interesting experience....

Anyway, back to work....I'll probably write again after I get my computer installed at home.

Diane
counting the days....

SHIMLA

DianeN,

You've done enough reading ! Now experience India for yourself!

All the best !

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radz

India in REAL is differnt expericence. )..
Have a great trip.

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inchou

DianeN,
It's a very strange coincidence. We also live in Japan and are going to Rajasthan in two weeks. And we are also staying for three weeks!

DianeN.

Wow!!! That is a coincidence! I am leaving on March 9th, via Taipei for one night. Which flight are you going out on. And out of curiosity....how much was your ticket? Ours came to about 150,000 yen for my daughter and me.

Where are you living in Japan? I live in Chiba, but work in Tokyo.

Diane

DianeN.

In Delhi I will be staying with good Indian friends that are not wealthy, but do have a decent standard of living in India and who are well travelled and who have been visiting me every year for the past 20 years. The Delhi I visit will be their Delhi...
I will also be seeing a sort of Japanese version of Delhi since my friend works at the Japanese school teaching English...so I am sure I'll mix with some Japanese while there, too.
I know that what is written in books--especially travel books, is only one person's perspective....but nevertheless, still interesting to read.
I wonder how my impressions will change on a day to day basis.
Excited, but also a bit nervous. Not only about the trip to India, but spending that much time with my 17 year old daughter.....

Diane

inchou

Diane,
We are flying out on flight AI301 on March 7. Our tickets came to 200,000 for my partner and I. We live in Tokyo. We've been to Delhi before. It is noisy and smelly and all that, but it is also wonderful. And it manages the trick of being both simultaneously. We really enjoyed the jewelry bazaar, the Red Fort, the Qutb Minar, and the local bazaars. It would be funny to bump into you.
Have a great time!

Rob_The_Pom

I'm sorry trvl in but you are joking about Dalrymple!
With the exception of VS Naipaul, he's about a good a travel writer as you'll ever find.

Please tell me what is romantised about 'The Age of Kali'?

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DianeN.

Actually, I wanted to fly out on Air India--but it was going to cost about 50,000 more for the two of us (I'm paying--and I thought that 50,000 would go a long way in India!) so I decided to go with China Air. However, the downside is, that instead of arriving at a normal time like the AI flight, I arrive at 2:30 in the morning! Good thing my friend is willing to pick me up at that time, and that she lives not too far from the airport.

It would be a hoot if we do bump into each other along the way....Let's see...I'll be the one wearing a red carnation. No...I'll probably be the one looking totally awed with everything...or perhaps, I'll be the one arguing with a teenage girl......

Diane

rickshawwallah

Actually, that is a normal time to arrive in India! Air India's timing is very much the exception. Expect to see the international arrivals area at its busiest.

fat freddy's cat

Have a great trip Diane, don't forget to tell us all about it!