I just returned from India - :-) my experience

Theon · May 6th, 2005, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I'm firmly against haggling every rupee, as I've said, but, at the same time I object to being ripped off. If a Chennai auto driver picks you up, especially outside your hotel, he may well try to get double the fare from you ---or more! A visitor I spent some time with a couple of months ago paid more to an auto driver for driving her for a couple of hours than a taxi would have charged for half a day. She was happy: I didn't say anything.

Exactly. I don't mind paying a foreigner premium, but to have people try to take advantage of you by quoting a price 2-5 times what they'd charge an Indian seems to say "You're not a fellow human being, only a possible source of dishonest gain".

Kanbe · May 6th, 2005, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by amaresvivir

what I brought from US to India... okay, I brought candy, tupperware type dishes, perfume and cologne, make-up kits, granola bars, key-chains, and a couple USA t-shirts.

There were these children in Amritsar picking through trash etc. for plastics it seemed. I had just bought some samosas so I gave that to them. Then I saw them, their father was nearby (although I didn't know it at the time) and they gave the samosas to him, which he put in his pocket. I then realized that they were collecting food to take home and share at night. The father had difficulty walking, some problem with his leg. And he smiled and me and nodded in thanks. Even in writing this my eyes are watering. It was a moment I can never forget.

By the way, I am studying International Relations in the university (starting in August) :-) and I will help these children and families. That's what I want to do with my life.

the list of things you brought seem so varied and interesting! thanks for the great ideas.

thats must have been such a disheartening sight (!) seeing the children rummage through the rubbish..you must have made their day with the samosas

after coming back from India, I have become so confused with the direction I want to take in my life. Im glad you went to India before you have started uni. Im in my final years doing a course Im not so sure anymore. I want to help those underserved but I dont have the resources, nor the experience. good luck!

if you could, it would be great if you shared what work you did in Amritsar.

Dino · May 6th, 2005, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by amaresvivir

By the way, I am studying International Relations in the university (starting in August) :-) and I will help these children and families. That's what I want to do with my life.

Good for you.In an age where the young are often denigrated, it's great to hear a young person articulate so succinctly their thoughts and feelings about real life experiences.India seems to affect and inspire so many people (especially those on this site).

PRIYA · May 6th, 2005, 21:59

[quote=amaresvivir]
There were these children in Amritsar picking through trash etc. for plastics it seemed. I had just bought some samosas so I gave that to them. Then I saw them, their father was nearby (although I didn't know it at the time) and they gave the samosas to him, which he put in his pocket. I then realized that they were collecting food to take home and share at night. The father had difficulty walking, some problem with his leg. And he smiled and me and nodded in thanks. Even in writing this my eyes are watering. It was a moment I can never forget".

A great post amaresvivir............I found that the children really got to me, and reading your story took me right back. Those big eyes and the lovely smiles make India a very humbling experience. Nothing you give is too small and always received so graciously. So glad your stay was a really positive one.

ruthie808 · May 6th, 2005, 22:34

Hi Amaresvivir,
What a great post, i am now even more excited to go to india... i have to wait til the end of the year.. aah!
That is a great idea to being presents along... i will be doing that for certain.
Hope to hear more from you on IM

Ruthie

BhuttaJi · May 6th, 2005, 22:52

Hello Amaresvivir,

It makes my heart glad to hear you had such a positive and lasting trip to India. A little futher south in Besant Nagar is such fun to visit. I was in Chennai in 2003 and 2004. The Marina beach fisherman's village was such a sight to see. Sadly, this area was devasted in the Tsunami.

I am ashamed to admit that I also started stressing about rickshaw fees but that came from my girlfriend and her father (both Indian). She gets very cross about some of the Chennai R/S drivers and her dad will say " It (overcharging) is very wrong. If we let them get away with it then what happens to the rest of India?". Since then I bargain down to somewhere near local price and pay a bit more at the end of the trip.

You strike me as a old head on young shoulders which is great!

I hope you enjoy your studies. Further, you're next ravels to sub-continent should be also fantastic as Bangalore and Mysore are magic.

Look forward to more from you. Best wishes. Bhuttaji

amaresvivir · May 11th, 2005, 19:43

Thanks for all the great posts! I'm working on an essay over my travels, i'll be sure to post it when i'm done. Take care ~~

cyberhippie · May 11th, 2005, 20:10

Nice on Amaresvivir
A lot of what you said needs to said and said more often but I doubt if it will be put quite so nicely ever again!!
Refreshing to see such an open mind in one so young, 18 and your love affair with India has already started, lucky you!!

Here's something related to the last part of you narrative, written by Mark Tully I think you'll like it!
It kinda sums up some tourists behaviour in India!

From No full stops in India : By Mark Tully!!

'How do you cope with the poverty?' That must be the question I have been asked most frequently by vistors to India. I often reply, 'I don't have to. The poor do.' It's certainly true. I live a very comfortable life in Delhi while the taxi-drivers who have lived opposite me for fourteen years have to sleep in their cars in the cold winter and on a charpoi or light bedstead in the open during the hot weather. I have a three bedroom flat. The taxi rank is their home. My foreign guests expect the taxi-drivers to take them back to their hotels whatever hour of the night it may be. Before leaving, they will check the fare with me to make sure the taxi-drivers don't get a few rupees more than they are due. That's the way my guests usually 'cope with poverty'

Something we could all learn from!

sudzindia · Jan 6th, 2006, 11:10

hey guys, the first original post seems to be missing! Everyone said it was lovely. Any idea what happened to it? Would love to read...cheers!

Sree · Jan 6th, 2006, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudzindia

hey guys, the first original post seems to be missing! Everyone said it was lovely. Any idea what happened to it? Would love to read...cheers!

Me too

.
Here the original post is not there. I am also eager to know the experience. Plz help.

ddutta · Jan 6th, 2006, 18:26

The original poster of this thread "amaresvivir" has deleted his own post given in post # 1. If the mod. can retrieve then only possible to see the original one.

sudzindia · Jan 6th, 2006, 18:40

I wonder y..it sounds like a wonderful post. Sighh..

May 6th, 2005, 21:59	#34
PRIYA Discombobulated Elsewherean! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Zimbabwe Posts: 1,180	[quote=amaresvivir] There were these children in Amritsar picking through trash etc. for plastics it seemed. I had just bought some samosas so I gave that to them. Then I saw them, their father was nearby (although I didn't know it at the time) and they gave the samosas to him, which he put in his pocket. I then realized that they were collecting food to take home and share at night. The father had difficulty walking, some problem with his leg. And he smiled and me and nodded in thanks. Even in writing this my eyes are watering. It was a moment I can never forget". A great post amaresvivir............I found that the children really got to me, and reading your story took me right back. Those big eyes and the lovely smiles make India a very humbling experience. Nothing you give is too small and always received so graciously. So glad your stay was a really positive one. __________________ Happiness is for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. (Anon.)

May 11th, 2005, 19:43	#37
amaresvivir Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 9	Thanks for all the great posts! I'm working on an essay over my travels, i'll be sure to post it when i'm done. Take care ~~ __________________ "Be happy. It's one way of being wise".

Jan 6th, 2006, 18:26	#41
ddutta Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: kolkata Posts: 803	The original poster of this thread "amaresvivir" has deleted his own post given in post # 1. If the mod. can retrieve then only possible to see the original one. __________________ "If you smile at me I will understand, because that is something everyone everywhere does in the same language"

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May 6th, 2005, 22:34	#35
ruthie808 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ireland (its too cold!) Posts: 69	Hi Amaresvivir, What a great post, i am now even more excited to go to india... i have to wait til the end of the year.. aah! That is a great idea to being presents along... i will be doing that for certain. Hope to hear more from you on IM Ruthie

May 6th, 2005, 22:52	#36
BhuttaJi Buttaji Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle Uk and Around Posts: 100	Hello Amaresvivir, It makes my heart glad to hear you had such a positive and lasting trip to India. A little futher south in Besant Nagar is such fun to visit. I was in Chennai in 2003 and 2004. The Marina beach fisherman's village was such a sight to see. Sadly, this area was devasted in the Tsunami. I am ashamed to admit that I also started stressing about rickshaw fees but that came from my girlfriend and her father (both Indian). She gets very cross about some of the Chennai R/S drivers and her dad will say " It (overcharging) is very wrong. If we let them get away with it then what happens to the rest of India?". Since then I bargain down to somewhere near local price and pay a bit more at the end of the trip. You strike me as a old head on young shoulders which is great! I hope you enjoy your studies. Further, you're next ravels to sub-continent should be also fantastic as Bangalore and Mysore are magic. Look forward to more from you. Best wishes. Bhuttaji

May 11th, 2005, 20:10	#38
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	Nice on Amaresvivir A lot of what you said needs to said and said more often but I doubt if it will be put quite so nicely ever again!! Refreshing to see such an open mind in one so young, 18 and your love affair with India has already started, lucky you!! Here's something related to the last part of you narrative, written by Mark Tully I think you'll like it! It kinda sums up some tourists behaviour in India! From No full stops in India : By Mark Tully!! 'How do you cope with the poverty?' That must be the question I have been asked most frequently by vistors to India. I often reply, 'I don't have to. The poor do.' It's certainly true. I live a very comfortable life in Delhi while the taxi-drivers who have lived opposite me for fourteen years have to sleep in their cars in the cold winter and on a charpoi or light bedstead in the open during the hot weather. I have a three bedroom flat. The taxi rank is their home. My foreign guests expect the taxi-drivers to take them back to their hotels whatever hour of the night it may be. Before leaving, they will check the fare with me to make sure the taxi-drivers don't get a few rupees more than they are due. That's the way my guests usually 'cope with poverty' Something we could all learn from!

Jan 6th, 2006, 11:10	#39
sudzindia Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Malaysia Posts: 192	hey guys, the first original post seems to be missing! Everyone said it was lovely. Any idea what happened to it? Would love to read...cheers!

Jan 6th, 2006, 18:40	#42
sudzindia Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Malaysia Posts: 192	I wonder y..it sounds like a wonderful post. Sighh..