crazy crazy crazy

tim_from_oz

Ok guys, here's a very honest email for you all..

i've been looking forward to coming to india for so long now.

my first week in mumbai has just passed. feel like i'm losing my mind with all of the chaos, beggars, dirtiness... i've just spent lastnight nursing myself with a rather severe case of food poisoning (but not that severe as i am able to sit here and right this email!).

i know india must be great, and mumbai isn't a true representation of what really is out there.

i'm going to stick at it though. i'm hoping after four weeks things will be looking up. i have 3 months here!

anyway guys, it's hard hard hard.. but then again i'm being a bit of a wuss at the moment because i feel like shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit and have an overnight train to ctach... leave this crazy city for good!

a favour from everyone please.. i have an indian sim card now with the number +919819542907... is this right? aren't there supposed to be digits in front of it? i need ppl to call me on it from australia.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh

sorry guys
thanks!
tim

rzoster

Easy dude! I've lived in Bombay for 5 years, and there were times when it got on my nerves too! Maybe you came down with huge expectations of it being a highly effecient and modern cosmopolitan city. This may sound wierd, but you can only enjoy that place if you turn a blind eye to some of the things (beggars, cleanliness etc.). So go out with a goal of enjoying the city and exploring it more. Or maybe just chill out for a night at one of the many good pubs/discs out there. I hope you get recharged soon! Btw, your friends from Australia have to dial in exactly the number you mentioned in your post (i.e., 919819542907). No extra digits necessary.

ceers,
rz

cyberhippie

Tim it sounds like you need to get out of the city. Head for somewhere quiet where you can slowly acclimatise to India maybe Matheran or Ganpatipule. Amboli, Goa, Dui or even Gokarne.
Choose well or you might not get over your initial reaction, choose some where you can kickback a little, where you can take a walk to clear your head!!
I really recommend to first time travellers that they chose their first destination wisely!!
Places like Mumbai, Delhi, Agra or Jaipur is really getting in at the deep end!!
These are IMHO better left alone until you've got a bit of experience under your belt!

Sterkte

Bryan

It'll pass brother
When you stop feeling ill and get moving ...You'll know we're right
At the moment though everything seems dark ...Been there
the world is against you...everything you touch is fecked and these people are totally annoying me...bloody country
and then you wake up one morning have a chai, get moving and things change
Stick with it brother

KLet us know when the change happens

__________________
Then let us pray that come it may
(As come it will for a' that),
That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree an a' that.
For a' that, an a' that,
It's coming yet for a' that,
That man to man, the world, o'er
Shall brithers be for a' that.
- Burns

Vasko

Hi Tim,

I feel what you're saying, man. When I last arrived in Mumbai I was miserable, too. I was sloshing around Colaba in the monsoon rains thinking: "This has to get better or else I'll go crazy".

And it did. I got on the train to Hyderabad and things started gradually looking brighter. It takes a while to get in the groove, so don't worry about it. Give yourself time to adjust. Besides, you've had bad luck with your stomach problems, which always brings you down, no matter where you are. Hang in there, I'm sure India will show you her better sides. Right now you maybe wondering how you're going to last for 3 months? Soon you'll be planning your next trip back!

I figure you're traveling on your own. This tends to overemphasize the miserable moments, because there is no one there to comfort you. But trust me, it will make you stronger once you pull through. Traveling in India is a rollercoaster of emotions - it's good to acknowledge that you can go from high to low and back again within one day. Emotions fluctuate more than back home, where everything is more under control and more predictable.

One last thought. If after a month or so you still feel like you're not liking it, don't try to force yourself into it. Book a flight back home... there's nothing to be ashamed of in letting it go. So many things can affect the way you experience your journey that are ultimately not up to you.

Sorry I can't help you with the phone-issue... I'm sure someone else here can.

Hang in there. I figure it's a 99% chance you'll be feeling much better in one week's time.

Cheers,
Vasko

volga_volga

tim from oz, the number looks allright to me... i have just sent you an SMS and it said "message was sent"

from my experience, the SMS may arrive with delay in India, but not more than 24 hrs

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volga_volga

Oh, and if you don't like it after one month as Vasko said, simply continue to Pakistan

williaam

So when people have a bad tmie in India is it really that bad, like on the brink of insanity, I really would like to avoid going crazy and am wondering if this is one of my potential outcomes of my trip.

beach

If you are not well Mumbai is a difficult place to manage. There are two options

Move to a bit upscale hotel so that there are some special attention from the hotel staff.
or
Move to a bit easy towns or locations where you can get some decent medical attention and rest.

Never ever stay at the eppicentre of Mumbai if you are not at ease.

Get well soon

williaam

Hmm, are you suggesting I'm already crazy? jk.

mindi

Hi Tim,
I felt like that on my first days on my first trip, and decided if it didn't get any better to fly back to Bangkok and stay there. After making that decision, I went to Udaipur and the rest is history. Yes, get out of Mumbai, and go to somewhere easy, where you can easily meet other travellers. Try to pick a place where the hotel staff are friendly, and get used to a small area within wherever you choose. As you get to know the local hotel staff, restaurant owners and even touts, you will feel more at home. Definitely go to where you are likely to meet other travellers, and you will link up with someone, and the whole experience will start to glow. Happy travels!

crvlvr

tim ,

What you are dealing with are the major reasons why a lot of people hate India. If you overcome the chaos, dirtiness and beggars, you will enjoy the rest of your trip. Try to ignore the dirtiness and beggars (did you mention smell?), and lower your expectations of getting anything done on time -- after all, you are on vacation.


Remember a Billion people deal with this madness on a daily basis.

Statistics show that 50% of the world's population lives on on less and $2 a day and 20% on less than $1/day.. most of them are in India.. Welcome to reality..

The phone number is complete. From the US, I will have to dial 011 and then the number you have provided. Don't know what the access code is to dial out of AU.

All the best!

bijapuri

I ALWAYS wanna go home when I'm sick
It's a natural survival instinct
So . . . wait till you're better, and treat yourself to a trip somewhere "nice"
you define that, but I'll give you a hint- not downtown calcutta, capiche?
I like Cyb's suggestions- a nice beach, or, if you like art and such, hop over to Ajanta/Ellora

then there are the hills of S India- very peaceful in the game parks, less so in the hill stations.

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Baldy

Courage Tim - illness wiill strip away anyone's reserves of fortitude. I was culture shocked big time first days in India in Delhi (ill as well).

I left for Pushkar and thus began a beautiful friendship ...

Baldy

P.S never hesit ate to ask for help or companionship - we Aussies are not good at that

shambo_shankara

I am surprised, you did not know how india is going to be, before you went in. Sounds dumb, that you were surprised. Don't expect too much of neatness, in that great country. Get used to it ASAP, and the rest of your stay will be pretty nice, i would guess. I am planning to be there sometime next year.

Hari Om..

SS.