Your #1 Travel Tip

brishti · Oct 20th, 2009, 16:13

good un nick!

:brishti

crvlvr · Oct 21st, 2009, 02:14

Wear good strong shoes that you can afford to get filthy.

Nick-H · Oct 21st, 2009, 13:16

Very good point --- keeping the feet comfortable is essential, and of all the trivial injuries, a blister can really ruin one's day.

It is also a good idea if they are easily washed and dried after getting filthy.

spicetrekker · Oct 21st, 2009, 13:34

Keep an open mind

stocklotgarment · Oct 21st, 2009, 18:23

I never thought India was sooo bad .. I guess you guys are trying to scare the OP ..

hitanshu · Oct 21st, 2009, 18:34

Relax and open your mind!

alouise · Oct 21st, 2009, 18:44

Take a couple of small cans of tuna for emergencies ....ie. you're stuck in a place with dim choices or when you can't face another curry/stomach more garam masala/risk another gamble on Indian Chinese tasting Chinese/thought of the non-veg options. I got this tip from reading The Elephanta Suite by Paul Theroux.

camelgirl · Oct 21st, 2009, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocklotgarment

I never thought India was sooo bad .. I guess you guys are trying to scare the OP ..

I don't think we would spend so much time on IM if we thought India was bad. If you were raised in India, probably not helpful but the tips we give are useful for someone coming from another country.

stocklotgarment · Oct 21st, 2009, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgirl

I don't think we would spend so much time on IM if we thought India was bad. If you were raised in India, probably not helpful but the tips we give are useful for someone coming from another country.

Well, it looks from your post that "India is full of gold ..all you got to do is to dig up the earth and while digging just wear the right kind of protection so that you may find the gold "

de_cooky · Oct 21st, 2009, 23:43

listen to what the locals say..If they say it can be a lil bumpy ride..be prepared for a see-saw ride..if they say it can be a bit dangerous..dont ever venture that way..
Keep out of harms way..and enjoy ur stay and travel

camelgirl · Oct 22nd, 2009, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocklotgarment

Well, it looks from your post that "India is full of gold ..all you got to do is to dig up the earth and while digging just wear the right kind of protection so that you may find the gold "

I have no idea what you are talking about

Perhaps an Indian proverb?

Moving on to travel tips.....many local people speak excellent English but not always with the same meaning...patience required. (all countries that speak their own version of English, same problem

) See example above.

edwardseco · Oct 22nd, 2009, 01:22

My number one tip is to take a very good sense of humor & equal patience. It always works out well even if not in the intended fashion.
My number 2, from my late father in law, is not to take any advice from forens..

stocklotgarment · Oct 22nd, 2009, 02:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgirl

I have no idea what you are talking about

Perhaps an Indian proverb?

Moving on to travel tips.....many local people speak excellent English but not always with the same meaning...patience required. (all countries that speak their own version of English, same problem

) See example above.

Ok .. I apologise for the bad english ..Forget the post .. I think my post was a bit too sarcastic to be comprehensible .

Travel*grl · Oct 22nd, 2009, 04:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by puneri

Your #1 Travel Tip

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am a newcomer to the forum and have reading everyone's questions and responses for the past few hours. My eye's are getting tired...

I will be flying from the US to Chennai in Jan 2010 for 6 weeks for business. When I am not working (and hopefully not sick, from what I've been reading about water/food) I want to absorb and experience as much of the culture as I can.

What I would like from you is..your BEST TIP. It could be about womens clothing, immunizations, what to avoid, what to see, food, the long flight, foods, packing? etc.

I look forward to reading everyone's responses.
---------------------------------
If it's possible for you, try to sleep according to India time (whenever possible) for some days before you leave for India. This will help in setting your biological clock. Drink lots of water on the flight. Avoid alcohol. Do not overeat. Stretch your legs, walk up and down the aisle after every 3-4 hours and try to sleep (again) according to India time. When awake on the flight, do some foot exercise. for example, doing a foot up-down from the ankle joint. This will help you relax your calves and avoid cramps.

Get immunizations done (malaria, jaundice, typhoid, TB, flu shots) from your local health center.

Most local people in Chennai speak English, so language should not be a problem. Once you are in Chennai, get to know the rates from your Chennai friends/colleagues, if you are going to travel in a autorickshaw or public taxi. My advice would be to hire a pre-paid taxi.

Indian foods can be really spicy, so be careful about the food you order. In a restaurant, ask the waiter to point out not-so-spicy foods from the menu. Generally dosa, idli (rice pancakes), upma (salted rice pudding), sevai (looks like thin, broken sphagetti) are good to eat and not spicy.

It will be mild winter in Jan, so light clothing would do. Chennai being a coastal city, the weather can be really humid. Afternoons can be really hot too.

The traditional dress for an Indian woman from Chennai is a saree. You should buy one (and learn to wear it too) before you go back. When we are that, you should get yourself the Indian look (saree, blouse, bindi, jewellery etc.) before you head back

That's all that comes to my mind as of now. If I can think of something else, I will let you know.

Have a wonderful journey and a great stay in one of biggest democracies of the world. I am sure you will love your stay in Chennai

Thanks Puneri for the great info! I am really looking forward to the shopping and wearing the traditional dress! I am very petite and I've read from other posts that I will have no problem finding clothes/shoes that fit.

Spicy food will not be a problem as I already love it. I've already been trying new cuisines like Thai and a little Indian to get an idea for the different flavors (delicious!).

The time difference will be tricky as I will be working at night in India which will be during my normal working hours in the US,but I'm sure I will adjust. Eventually.

Let me know if you think of anything else.

Travel*grl · Oct 22nd, 2009, 04:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvlvr

Wear good strong shoes that you can afford to get filthy.

Speaking of shoes...and don't laugh. Are conservative high heels acceptable in the workplace? Or should I stick with flats?

Oct 21st, 2009, 18:34	#21
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 880	Relax and open your mind! __________________ SMASH!!!!

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Oct 20th, 2009, 16:13	#16
brishti disMember Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 3,690	good un nick! :brishti

Oct 21st, 2009, 02:14	#17
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,668	Wear good strong shoes that you can afford to get filthy.

Oct 21st, 2009, 13:16	#18
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,231	Very good point --- keeping the feet comfortable is essential, and of all the trivial injuries, a blister can really ruin one's day. It is also a good idea if they are easily washed and dried after getting filthy.

Oct 21st, 2009, 13:34	#19
spicetrekker Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 633	Keep an open mind

Oct 21st, 2009, 18:23	#20
stocklotgarment Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chennai Posts: 123	I never thought India was sooo bad .. I guess you guys are trying to scare the OP ..

Oct 21st, 2009, 18:44	#22
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 822	Take a couple of small cans of tuna for emergencies ....ie. you're stuck in a place with dim choices or when you can't face another curry/stomach more garam masala/risk another gamble on Indian Chinese tasting Chinese/thought of the non-veg options. I got this tip from reading The Elephanta Suite by Paul Theroux.

Oct 21st, 2009, 23:43	#25
de_cooky Holly Golightly.. Travelling Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: India Posts: 162	listen to what the locals say..If they say it can be a lil bumpy ride..be prepared for a see-saw ride..if they say it can be a bit dangerous..dont ever venture that way.. Keep out of harms way..and enjoy ur stay and travel

Oct 22nd, 2009, 01:22	#27
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	My number one tip is to take a very good sense of humor & equal patience. It always works out well even if not in the intended fashion. My number 2, from my late father in law, is not to take any advice from forens..