First Time RTW - India first stop...

MonsterMunch · May 9th, 2004, 18:45

My boyfriend and I are leaving to go travelling round the world later on this year... Our first stop will be India and I cannot wait!

Neither of us have backpacked before and despite having over 6 months to go until we leave are getting VERY excited.

A friend of mine has recently come back from travelling and has said to "go the other way round" - ie, South America first, leaving India til last. He reckons the culture shock will be immense (which we already knew) and that we'd enjoy India less as "beginners".

I know I've never travelled before and as much as I think I'm not naive, I'm sure arriving in Delhi to spend 3 months in India will be a massive shock to the system, to say the least. I do respect my friend and am grateful for any advice he can give us, but I had my heart set on India first. I just feel a little disheartened now and want some reassurance that although it'll be hard, we're not being foolish by going to India first...

Can someone reassure me, please?

MonsterMunch · May 9th, 2004, 18:58

Thanks for the quick reply, mpop...

As we are going from London, it makes sense to go to India - SE Asia - Oz - S America.

I'm not sure if there's any places we could go to first that would be suitable... Egypt for a couple of weeks?

Cheers, MM x

MonsterMunch · May 9th, 2004, 19:07

Thanks so much! I'll bear your suggestions in mind...

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Does anyone else have any other info/advice/opinions?

lobo · May 9th, 2004, 22:04

At least you are with someone, arriving in delhi isnt so bad but the shock will build the longer you are there until finally u get used to it.
Even though I knew i would react u still have a reaction to it. Fear, dread, feeling anxious etc etc. It WILL pass 100%.
What month are u leaving?

MonsterMunch · May 9th, 2004, 23:07

Thanks Lobo - we're not going until November...

I called STA and the guy said that it would be tricky to do Egypt before India. He also said that we'll be fine and to just enjoy it. He laughed when I told him I was worried and said that by being that aware of the culture shock is the first part - the second part nothing can prepare you for, but to just go and do it!

I reckon we will be fine - we're both pretty open-minded and able to laugh in the most horrendous of situations! I don't think for one minute that it's going to be a breeze, but we're not going travelling for the "ease" of it.

I love a challenge, me!

Any other input much appreciated too xx

lobo · May 10th, 2004, 00:19

November is a good time to go to delhi, not to hot or rainy.
Try and get a plane that lands u in the morning/early afternoon its less intimidating.
I went with my girlfriend in january and went to the paharanaj (or something) main backpacker area. At first it was all too much and the first night my gf spent crying at the hotel, while i stayed awake worried about us and wondering why i had bought her here.
But I laugh at it now. We only went for a month and when I returned to delhi for a few days to fly home i enjoyed it there. The most important thing I learned was to drop the hostile/defensive front. People will talk to u and ask questions and it is nearly always leading to them trying to sell you something but try not to feel threatened by it. its normal to be a bit defensive because u are not familiar with the place and its seems so scary/noisy with lots of people.
What are your plans when u get there? Any idea what parts of india u want to go?

MonsterMunch · May 10th, 2004, 03:29

We haven't really planned too much as yet... we've been advised to head north first and then go South. We fly into Delhi and back out of Bombay and have got about 3 months, +/- a few weeks.

I'd like to go to Nepal too, but not sure if we'll realistically have time to make a good go of it and also parents are worried due to the political unrest over there at the mo - so for their peace of mind, we might save it for another trip!

guerik · May 10th, 2004, 07:39

India should be fine as your first stop - to reverse your friend's advice, once you've done India you will probably find the other countries less of a shock!

lobo · May 11th, 2004, 00:59

Enjoy it monstermunch I will be going in October with my girlfriend for about 2-3 months. We land in delhi and then we will head up north first then maybe down to goa.
If you need any help (train bookings/buses/general panic) when you are out here you can always give me an e mail or something.

volga_volga · May 11th, 2004, 02:20

when I was researching rtw trips one suggestion was to fly westbound. different ppl react differently to long-haul flights, but i found that for me flying long-haul westbound is much easy than in the opposite direction, especially when dealing with jet-lags and early morning flights.

another suggestion is to research the weather and the best seasons to spend in the countries where you are going, and to create itinerary accordingly. November is fantastic in S America when flying from UK, from the cold November rain you land in the late spring...

v-v

SHIMLA · May 11th, 2004, 08:02

Quote:

Originally posted by MonsterMunch

I reckon we will be fine - we're both pretty open-minded and able to laugh in the most horrendous of situations! I don't think for one minute that it's going to be a breeze, but we're not going travelling for the "ease" of it.

I love a challenge, me!

This attitude of yours will ensure that you throughly enjoy India.

Do start your RTW from India; Nov. to Apr. are the best months.

All the best !

Bryan · May 12th, 2004, 05:15

Monstermunch
Don't worry about starting in India
You'll love and yeah there's culture shock
But you'll be so amazed and enthralled you wont even realise the culture shock until you leave and then you'll instantly want to go back
The huge grin you'll have on your face will get you over any initial shock ...Enjoy and don't hang around the cities to long when you arrive ...get yourself to the smaller places in Rajisthan and any worries will soon evaporate ...

Have a good one and welcome to the India club

mercedes10 · May 13th, 2004, 15:24

Hi there! I totally understand your concerns - I'm making my first trip to India this Summer. I originally planned it as the first-stop in a RTW trip too, but have had to put that off till next year now so am doing India as a stand-alone holiday. I would just stick with your original plan. It geographically makes sense to go there first and at least you'll just get the culture shock out the way and will know that everything thereafter will be easy in comparison. I think it's nicer to know that you can relax during the rest of your trip than travel the world thinking that the 'worst' is still ahead of you (if you know what I mean). If you DO decide you want to stop off somewhere on the way, then what about Sri Lanka?? It's nearby and, I'm told, is a 'tamer' version of India. I was there last year and absolutely loved it - so much so that I'm making it a stop-off on the way back from India this year. If you fly with Sri Lankan airlines to Delhi you can add a stop-off in Sri Lanka at no extra cost. Even if you were to spend just a week there you can see an amazing amount of stuff as it's such a small island - the hill stations, buddhist temples, national parks, elephant orhpanage etc. It's brilliant!! Alternatively, I would also recommend Tunisia or Egpyt, as someone else also mentioned, but these logistically probably aren't as easy to organise. Good Luck!

May 9th, 2004, 18:45	#1
MonsterMunch Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 20	First Time RTW - India first stop... My boyfriend and I are leaving to go travelling round the world later on this year... Our first stop will be India and I cannot wait! Neither of us have backpacked before and despite having over 6 months to go until we leave are getting VERY excited. A friend of mine has recently come back from travelling and has said to "go the other way round" - ie, South America first, leaving India til last. He reckons the culture shock will be immense (which we already knew) and that we'd enjoy India less as "beginners". I know I've never travelled before and as much as I think I'm not naive, I'm sure arriving in Delhi to spend 3 months in India will be a massive shock to the system, to say the least. I do respect my friend and am grateful for any advice he can give us, but I had my heart set on India first. I just feel a little disheartened now and want some reassurance that although it'll be hard, we're not being foolish by going to India first... Can someone reassure me, please?

May 12th, 2004, 05:15	#12
Bryan Mega Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 638	Monstermunch Don't worry about starting in India You'll love and yeah there's culture shock But you'll be so amazed and enthralled you wont even realise the culture shock until you leave and then you'll instantly want to go back The huge grin you'll have on your face will get you over any initial shock ...Enjoy and don't hang around the cities to long when you arrive ...get yourself to the smaller places in Rajisthan and any worries will soon evaporate ... Have a good one and welcome to the India club __________________ 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

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May 9th, 2004, 18:58	#2
MonsterMunch Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 20	Thanks for the quick reply, mpop... As we are going from London, it makes sense to go to India - SE Asia - Oz - S America. I'm not sure if there's any places we could go to first that would be suitable... Egypt for a couple of weeks? Cheers, MM x

May 9th, 2004, 19:07	#3
MonsterMunch Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 20	Thanks so much! I'll bear your suggestions in mind... Enjoy the rest of your trip! Does anyone else have any other info/advice/opinions?

May 9th, 2004, 22:04	#4
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	At least you are with someone, arriving in delhi isnt so bad but the shock will build the longer you are there until finally u get used to it. Even though I knew i would react u still have a reaction to it. Fear, dread, feeling anxious etc etc. It WILL pass 100%. What month are u leaving?

May 9th, 2004, 23:07	#5
MonsterMunch Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 20	Thanks Lobo - we're not going until November... I called STA and the guy said that it would be tricky to do Egypt before India. He also said that we'll be fine and to just enjoy it. He laughed when I told him I was worried and said that by being that aware of the culture shock is the first part - the second part nothing can prepare you for, but to just go and do it! I reckon we will be fine - we're both pretty open-minded and able to laugh in the most horrendous of situations! I don't think for one minute that it's going to be a breeze, but we're not going travelling for the "ease" of it. I love a challenge, me! Any other input much appreciated too xx

May 10th, 2004, 00:19	#6
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	November is a good time to go to delhi, not to hot or rainy. Try and get a plane that lands u in the morning/early afternoon its less intimidating. I went with my girlfriend in january and went to the paharanaj (or something) main backpacker area. At first it was all too much and the first night my gf spent crying at the hotel, while i stayed awake worried about us and wondering why i had bought her here. But I laugh at it now. We only went for a month and when I returned to delhi for a few days to fly home i enjoyed it there. The most important thing I learned was to drop the hostile/defensive front. People will talk to u and ask questions and it is nearly always leading to them trying to sell you something but try not to feel threatened by it. its normal to be a bit defensive because u are not familiar with the place and its seems so scary/noisy with lots of people. What are your plans when u get there? Any idea what parts of india u want to go?

May 10th, 2004, 03:29	#7
MonsterMunch Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 20	We haven't really planned too much as yet... we've been advised to head north first and then go South. We fly into Delhi and back out of Bombay and have got about 3 months, +/- a few weeks. I'd like to go to Nepal too, but not sure if we'll realistically have time to make a good go of it and also parents are worried due to the political unrest over there at the mo - so for their peace of mind, we might save it for another trip!

May 10th, 2004, 07:39	#8
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	India should be fine as your first stop - to reverse your friend's advice, once you've done India you will probably find the other countries less of a shock!

May 11th, 2004, 00:59	#9
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	Enjoy it monstermunch I will be going in October with my girlfriend for about 2-3 months. We land in delhi and then we will head up north first then maybe down to goa. If you need any help (train bookings/buses/general panic) when you are out here you can always give me an e mail or something.

May 11th, 2004, 02:20	#10
volga_volga Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,460	when I was researching rtw trips one suggestion was to fly westbound. different ppl react differently to long-haul flights, but i found that for me flying long-haul westbound is much easy than in the opposite direction, especially when dealing with jet-lags and early morning flights. another suggestion is to research the weather and the best seasons to spend in the countries where you are going, and to create itinerary accordingly. November is fantastic in S America when flying from UK, from the cold November rain you land in the late spring... v-v

May 13th, 2004, 15:24	#13
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Hi there! I totally understand your concerns - I'm making my first trip to India this Summer. I originally planned it as the first-stop in a RTW trip too, but have had to put that off till next year now so am doing India as a stand-alone holiday. I would just stick with your original plan. It geographically makes sense to go there first and at least you'll just get the culture shock out the way and will know that everything thereafter will be easy in comparison. I think it's nicer to know that you can relax during the rest of your trip than travel the world thinking that the 'worst' is still ahead of you (if you know what I mean). If you DO decide you want to stop off somewhere on the way, then what about Sri Lanka?? It's nearby and, I'm told, is a 'tamer' version of India. I was there last year and absolutely loved it - so much so that I'm making it a stop-off on the way back from India this year. If you fly with Sri Lankan airlines to Delhi you can add a stop-off in Sri Lanka at no extra cost. Even if you were to spend just a week there you can see an amazing amount of stuff as it's such a small island - the hill stations, buddhist temples, national parks, elephant orhpanage etc. It's brilliant!! Alternatively, I would also recommend Tunisia or Egpyt, as someone else also mentioned, but these logistically probably aren't as easy to organise. Good Luck!

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