I'm really sad, cant make up my mind.

opensea · Jun 17th, 2004, 03:53

Hi, heres my story. I am 18 yrs old and I just graduated from high school. Before going to college, Im going to go on a solo backpacking trip to india for about 6 months. My friend is implying that its a stupid idea, I think its a great idea. Im half indian and I really want to experience my half culture. I think its something I really want to do before I die. You never know when you will die, therefore im saving my money and i'll be in india in about 3 months. I would really like to hear your opinions.
thanks a lot.

cyberhippie · Jun 17th, 2004, 05:23

Hi I suggest you have a look through my website for some general info about backpacking in India, then get a guide book Lonely Planet, Rough guide, Footprint will all suffice.
Then get all your Indian relatives on the phone to get a better idea what you heading for. They will probably think you wandering around India is silly too, don't be deterred.
Formulate a plan around where and what you want to see/do visit
Then see how your going to get from A-B.
For trains you can start with this link!! Trains

Get a plan sorted out then come back to us and we'll help fill in the details!!
India is a big place and you'll have to pick and choose what you see even on a 6 month trip!!

You sound like you have just come up with this plan and in your excitement, ideas are flooding through that head of yours, good I like that but really we'll be much more use to you when you have a rough itinery, we can then fill in the info gaps (if we can)

P.S. do some of the outline planning like trains yourself it's fun and you'll become more familier with the territory you intend to travel!!

Happy Traveling

SHIMLA · Jun 17th, 2004, 07:31

Quote:

Originally posted by opensea
You never know when you will die

Get a hold on yourself, young man!

Death is inevitable one day, so why worry about it? It will come when it has to, but at 18 you should plan for your future and enjoy life. Quit worrying about death !!

Do visit India now by all means, but only if you really want to experience the country and its culture and understand it; and not because you think it will be the last trip of your life!!

volga_volga · Jun 17th, 2004, 14:28

mala, you are thinking like an indian now

thousands of young people go travelling solo these days, i have met a few very young ones (<20), i think it is commendable thing to do and very courageous and i wish i had such an opportunity when i was 18.

go opensea, and face the world!!

volga_volga · Jun 17th, 2004, 15:02

if you don't know where to start, check this site:

Footloose and fancy free in the third world

it explains HOWs and WHATs of backpacking and a jolly good read.

aghori · Jun 17th, 2004, 15:58

I am female, last year I did 9 months traveling India-Sri Lanka, I was 20 then.

It is worth it, through my exotic colour of hair-eyes attracts a lot of attention, and that is often annoying.
But I would not recommend to plan of all travel ahead, it is exciting when you don't know where you will be tomorrow. Helpful for being in the present moment.

Just to get some idea what you wanna see is enough.

opensea · Jun 18th, 2004, 01:09

I'm not a female, I'm a boy.

Merchant · Jun 18th, 2004, 03:12

Go for it. Saddle up and light out. You're young, you have boundless energy and tolerance. Go while you can.

What, really, are your reservations? Your age? I took my first trip to India when I was 28. What I wouldn't give to have done it ten years earlier!

India will take care of you; you'll be fine. You'll learn a great deal about yourself and your culture. You'll meet plenty of wonderful people.

There are no negatives here.

picklepak · Jun 18th, 2004, 03:50

I will second the link to Randy's "Footloose and fancy free in the 3rd world", especially the section on Security. Highly recommended. It was one of the first places I'd found when I was researching my travels to India, and definitely one of the best (if not the best of them all). Read as much as you can and do your research and planning from now until you leave, as these will make a world of a difference.

So lucky to have the option at 18... I went straight into University with my head down, and didn't look up again until I was about 30.

Three months by yourself in India, as a female and as your first trip, will probably be quite a major shock to your view of the world. Just don't lose track of your future, university, and all that. India may well change your view of the world and some of the assumptions we all have had about it, but it can be a very welcome change -- provided you don't lose yourself in the process. I applaud your courage.

Enjoy your travels!

Merchant · Jun 18th, 2004, 03:54

HE'S A GUY!!!!!!

freenote · Jun 18th, 2004, 03:57

what the hell is stupid about that idea!!!!The most difficult step is the first one,once you are on the road it flowes easy.Do as much reserch as you want to do, it all helps. you have a whole world out there,the experiance will last you a lifetime,you will learn so much.Go forth and enjoy.I'm at the other end of the scale and i can asure you i will be on that road .See you there

volga_volga · Jun 18th, 2004, 14:01

Quote:

Originally posted by picklepak
I will second the link to Randy's "Footloose and fancy free in the 3rd world", especially the section on Security. Highly recommended. It was one of the first places I'd found when I was researching my travels to India, and definitely one of the best (if not the best of them all). Read as much as you can and do your research and planning from now until you leave, as these will make a world of a difference.

picklepack, i stole the Footloose link through one of YOUR links

mountaingirl · Jun 18th, 2004, 16:47

Congratulations for having such a BRIGHT IDEA!

If you take this trip - you will do yourself a great favour! I can not tell you specifically as to what favour - you will learn that later in life! But you wil definitely learnt to respect & enjoy the little joys of life :-)

I have to WARN you though that your Indian relatives will probably be DEAD against this plan! Let them be - just pack your bags!

Once here, you will find people are extremely helpful and it will also be funny to see how people react to an 'Indian firang'! :-) You will have a good time!

You should also know that as a young MAN, there will be less restrictions on you - from your relatives residing here. Though I would advise you to visit them at the end - otherwise they will try to show things 'their' way - and maybe spoil your way. especially if you were BORN and brought up abroad (meaning you think like a white man).

freenote · Jun 18th, 2004, 22:03

Hi Mountaingirl,you mention in your post 'indian firang' does the 'firang' bit mean forigner in hindi,and not firengi like in star trek the movie

.I have a lot to learn.

Jun 17th, 2004, 03:53	#1
opensea Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: san francisco Posts: 13	I'm really sad, cant make up my mind. Hi, heres my story. I am 18 yrs old and I just graduated from high school. Before going to college, Im going to go on a solo backpacking trip to india for about 6 months. My friend is implying that its a stupid idea, I think its a great idea. Im half indian and I really want to experience my half culture. I think its something I really want to do before I die. You never know when you will die, therefore im saving my money and i'll be in india in about 3 months. I would really like to hear your opinions. thanks a lot.

Jun 17th, 2004, 15:02	#5
volga_volga Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,459	a useful link if you don't know where to start, check this site: Footloose and fancy free in the third world it explains HOWs and WHATs of backpacking and a jolly good read.

Jun 17th, 2004, 15:58	#6
aghori Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Russia/Goverdhan Posts: 189	I am female, last year I did 9 months traveling India-Sri Lanka, I was 20 then. It is worth it, through my exotic colour of hair-eyes attracts a lot of attention, and that is often annoying. But I would not recommend to plan of all travel ahead, it is exciting when you don't know where you will be tomorrow. Helpful for being in the present moment. Just to get some idea what you wanna see is enough. Last edited by aghori : Jun 17th, 2004 at 17:04.

Jun 18th, 2004, 03:57	#11
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,532	what the hell is stupid about that idea!!!!The most difficult step is the first one,once you are on the road it flowes easy.Do as much reserch as you want to do, it all helps. you have a whole world out there,the experiance will last you a lifetime,you will learn so much.Go forth and enjoy.I'm at the other end of the scale and i can asure you i will be on that road .See you there __________________ eyes ,eyes that have seen all , come back to the white chrysanthemum (Basho)

Jun 18th, 2004, 22:03	#14
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,532	Hi Mountaingirl,you mention in your post 'indian firang' does the 'firang' bit mean forigner in hindi,and not firengi like in star trek the movie .I have a lot to learn. Last edited by freenote : Jun 18th, 2004 at 22:56.

Jun 17th, 2004, 05:23	#2
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Hi I suggest you have a look through my website for some general info about backpacking in India, then get a guide book Lonely Planet, Rough guide, Footprint will all suffice. Then get all your Indian relatives on the phone to get a better idea what you heading for. They will probably think you wandering around India is silly too, don't be deterred. Formulate a plan around where and what you want to see/do visit Then see how your going to get from A-B. For trains you can start with this link!! Trains Get a plan sorted out then come back to us and we'll help fill in the details!! India is a big place and you'll have to pick and choose what you see even on a 6 month trip!! You sound like you have just come up with this plan and in your excitement, ideas are flooding through that head of yours, good I like that but really we'll be much more use to you when you have a rough itinery, we can then fill in the info gaps (if we can) P.S. do some of the outline planning like trains yourself it's fun and you'll become more familier with the territory you intend to travel!! Happy Traveling

Jun 17th, 2004, 14:28	#4
volga_volga Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,459	mala, you are thinking like an indian now thousands of young people go travelling solo these days, i have met a few very young ones (<20), i think it is commendable thing to do and very courageous and i wish i had such an opportunity when i was 18. go opensea, and face the world!!

Jun 18th, 2004, 01:09	#7
opensea Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: san francisco Posts: 13	I'm not a female, I'm a boy.

Jun 18th, 2004, 03:12	#8
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Go for it. Saddle up and light out. You're young, you have boundless energy and tolerance. Go while you can. What, really, are your reservations? Your age? I took my first trip to India when I was 28. What I wouldn't give to have done it ten years earlier! India will take care of you; you'll be fine. You'll learn a great deal about yourself and your culture. You'll meet plenty of wonderful people. There are no negatives here.

Jun 18th, 2004, 03:50	#9
picklepak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 274	I will second the link to Randy's "Footloose and fancy free in the 3rd world", especially the section on Security. Highly recommended. It was one of the first places I'd found when I was researching my travels to India, and definitely one of the best (if not the best of them all). Read as much as you can and do your research and planning from now until you leave, as these will make a world of a difference. So lucky to have the option at 18... I went straight into University with my head down, and didn't look up again until I was about 30. Three months by yourself in India, as a female and as your first trip, will probably be quite a major shock to your view of the world. Just don't lose track of your future, university, and all that. India may well change your view of the world and some of the assumptions we all have had about it, but it can be a very welcome change -- provided you don't lose yourself in the process. I applaud your courage. Enjoy your travels!

Jun 18th, 2004, 03:54	#10
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	HE'S A GUY!!!!!!

Jun 18th, 2004, 16:47	#13
mountaingirl Mother Goose Join Date: May 2003 Location: underground Posts: 426	Congratulations for having such a BRIGHT IDEA! If you take this trip - you will do yourself a great favour! I can not tell you specifically as to what favour - you will learn that later in life! But you wil definitely learnt to respect & enjoy the little joys of life :-) I have to WARN you though that your Indian relatives will probably be DEAD against this plan! Let them be - just pack your bags! Once here, you will find people are extremely helpful and it will also be funny to see how people react to an 'Indian firang'! :-) You will have a good time! You should also know that as a young MAN, there will be less restrictions on you - from your relatives residing here. Though I would advise you to visit them at the end - otherwise they will try to show things 'their' way - and maybe spoil your way. especially if you were BORN and brought up abroad (meaning you think like a white man).

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