Arriving in Delhi.... Tips to calm my parents down?!?!

rebeccamartin

Hello all!

Ive got a bit of a problem that i was hoping someone could help me with! I am an 18 year old western female and im off to India for 5 weeks from April 17th with a female friend of mine.
The issue is that she is flying from Hong Kong and getting in to Delhi at 02:00, whereas my flight from the UK gets in at 11:15, nearly 9 hours later. Our initial plan was to both be picked up at the airport seperatly and meet at our hotel, which neither of us have a problem with, but my rather overprotective parents think that one of us will be 'abducted and raped'.... nice thought huh?
So, they want my friend to wait in the airport for my flight to get in and meet me at the arrivals hall (which is really unreasonable and really tough on her if you ask me)
Of course my parents are only 'concerned for my safety' but they seem to have forgotten that i managed to get from Sabang in the Philippines all the way back home by myself (a 36 hour trip) so im sure that apart from being an assault on the senses, getting from Delhi to our hotel in a pre-arranged taxi really shouldnt be that hard!
Im tempted to go and tell them to stick it but i dont really want to piss them off. So.... has anyone got any ideas? Im sure arriving cant be as bad as they think it is!

Thanks for your help.

Becks

jyotirmoy

If you have arranged a pick up from a decent hotel it should not be a problem but waiting 9 hours for your friend will definitely be a problem. Most of the international flights arrive around midnight & lots & lots of passengers travel from airport to hotels or homes so will you.

alonig

I can understand your parents being concerned. Why dont you both prearrange a taxi to collect you, i have some numbers here of some we used and they were excellent, and will look after you. Mind u this was Goa, ive no idea how far that is from Delhi, so may not be possible. But this is what i would def do, that way they can meet you at the door and you wont have to run the gauntlet of the other drivers etc, wanting to 'help' you!!! and your parents can then perhaps be a little less concerned.
As long as you are both sensible and on your guard you should be fine, I have just returned with a friend(both ladies) and we didnt have any probs, but u do need to be on your guard, esp Delhi!! we did nearly get arrested on our last night (no idea why), but corrupt officials were paid off and went away!!
i also ended up in hospital, and have to say that was absolutely fine, immediate attention, unlike the UK, and excellent doctors.
Get in with the locals where u are staying and you should be fine.

I have children older than you but my parents were also concerned about me going with another woman!! So u prob just have to put their mind at rest as best you can, but they will worry anyway, mine did!!! Its only natural!!
have a fab time!!

seventies'hippy

Hanging around in the airport would probably attract a lot more unwanted pestering than having a driver waiting for you to take you to your hotel.
Tell your parents that the hotel is sending car & driver, so whats the problem.
Indians aren't savages who like unlicenced mini cab drivers in the uk who'd try it on,,,,,,,,, I would imagine most drivers think more about a tip at the end.
Your parents ought to trust you to be sensible,,,,,

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freenote

I think your parents need to be a litle bit more sensible ,but that's parents !!!!!!!! enjoy

capt_mahajan

Hi!

Your friend arriving at 0200 needs to be a bit more careful than you (at 1115),
However....

Assume you dont know anybody in Delhi who can either pick you up or check on the phone you've reached safely. Thats the best option. Assume also its your first trip to India and you are not carrying a cellphone.

Suggestions from somebody who is slightly paranoid by nature, is male and has teenage children:

-tell your folks you will call them from the hotel after you reach.
-Leave the hotel phone number with your folks.
-be on your guard. Delhi is not Goa.
-Prearranged taxi should have somebody with your name on a homemade placard, right? Its safer.
-Touts will probably try to sell hotels/taxis to you once you are out of the terminal. Ignore them.
-If in doubt, call up the hotel and confirm the car number picking you up. Phones may be a problem (outside terminal doesnt have too many), so request a female carrying a mobile phone (there will be hundreds) if you can make a local call.
-Avoid folks offering to help and pick you up whom you dont know (including here!)

Most are suggestions for you, and one or two will reassure your parents.

Enjoy yourself.

cyberhippie

Try and explain to your parents that your only one in the long list of tourist stretching back through the last 30 years that have visited India's shores most come back with few scary stories to tell but have survived

Dr Funkenstein

Yeah, if you both get an airport pick-up to a decent hotel, that should reassure your parents. Surely it's gotta be better for one of you to hang around at a hotel than at the airport.

It saves a lot of hassle anyhow - I can't stand my first experience of India being a protracted haggle with a taxi-wallah at some unearthly hour of the morning.

Last time I got into Delhi the Hotel Namaskar picked me up at the airport for Rs. 400 (I think). It's a lot easier to get off the plane and there be a guy there waiting for you with your name on a sign when you're jet-lagged and knackered ...

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TimMakins

Yes, I have an answer to this, which you will both like...

Get your parents to pay for your first few night's accomdation in a really nice hotel - lets say 40 or 50 pounds per night. Book accomodation there before you go, and make sure the hotel has its own car to pick you both up, separately, from the airport. The end result is that both of you will be safe and sound, have somewhere nice to go for the first few days - you can look around for a better priced hotel room at your leisure. Its a win-win situation, as long as your parents will pay, and I am sure you could talk them round.

Tim in Ireland.

PS I know your next question - which hotel to choose?! Well, although I used to research for Footprint Books, I have never researched Delhi. What you want is a hotel around Connaught Place in the right price bracket. Check your guidebook, then email to see if they have a car.

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