Night-mares (!!) Women out at night?

Onecuponly

This is a bit of a random one, but you all seem so knowledgable!

Myself and a friend (both female) are off to India in Jan 08, travelling from Mumbai to Chennai over 7 weeks or so... my question is (as I've been reading up on safety advice and haven't yet found an answer) what time roughly does it get dark Jan-March?

I ask because the most common (and commonsense) piece of advice is not to venture out after dark. I've read that Indian restaraunts often won't open until after 8:00PM as everybody takes their evening meal so late. Also, in regards to trains that arrive in the evening- if one comes in at 9:00PM for example, will it already be getting on for night?

Aagh, I'm confused, and probably over-thinking.

Any advice chaps?

shashank.aggarwal

Are you talking about Mumbai/Chennai..or some remote location in some desolate part of the country...

The earliest Closure for any proper restaurant would be 11 PM..and if its a roadside join then also i would say 9:30 PM..

Things go way beyond that...especially in Mumbai and Delhi..you get food all along the night...

But if you are looking at normal OR standard timings, my vote is 11 PM as the closure time..but yes finding food after that time wont be a major problem atleast for couple of hours...

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capt_mahajan

In the Mumbai Chennai range, dark probably around 7ish.

And I disagree with the "not to venture out after dark" thing. I would say, don't venture out in sparsely populated and lonely places after dark, and be careful there in daytime, too.

In many cities, Mumbai and Chennai included, its perfectly safe to be around in resteraunt areas etc much longer.

Nick-H

I wish this advice would just go away. Unless qualified, it is absolute rubbish.

Why would someone visit a country where you had to be indoors by 6.00pm every day?

Some places are safer than others; some place (unlikely to be in the tourists' agenda) in all cities are not safe at all.

Speaking for my city: if you miss the kerosene-lit market stalls and vegetable seller of an area like Mylapore, and the evening atmosphere, then you have missed a substantial part of its magic and charm.

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brownboy66

but, but, but........that's when some of the really fun stuff starts! As Nick and Capt have said - no need to be home by sunset. I think common sense dictates that if your in a well lit market with plenty of people, restaurants, etc - you'll be fine (pretty much the same around the world). If, on the other hand, you're in an unlit alley populated by the newly burnt out wreckage of cars and buses - you've gone too far!

happy travels.

Aishah

There are two of you and strength in numbers - I wouldn't worry about the night thing if you are going in well populated, lit areas.

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Onecuponly

Thanks all for your responses.

Yeah, I agree with you that being in by 7pm is nobody's idea of fun... there's a lot of conflicting advice flying around and although I am not the type of girl to get intimidated (or so I like to think ), I've never been to India before, and would rather heir on the side of caution- at least until I get my bearings.

By the way, India Mike has been the single most valuable resource I've found for planning my trip. Thank you all for your infinite wisdom and patients with us India noobs!

Nick-H

...or seedy looking guys watching you from dark corners, especially if they have bottles in their hands.

...or you suddenly realise you haven't seen another woman on the street for a few minutes.

I'm sure you know the signs just as you would in any city anywhere in the world!

My (locally-born and bred) wife advises to stay away from the poorer areas, the slums, the fishing-folk colonies, in teh evenings. I think the problem here is that the vast majority of people are genuine and harmless, but their smiles may mask the dangers, especially after the evening drinking has begun.

PeakXV

This being your first visit to India - your about to see so many things you could never imagine in your most vivid dreams. You may also find that the after dark issue, although never to be taken too lightly in any jurisdiction in the world, will slide down towards the bottom of your immediate survival list.

Things like how to cross the road (and which way to look when doing so) may become an immediate priority. You will begin to learn early in your trip & during the day light hours those social signals & necessary manuevers needed to deter those overly zealous/friendly touts, hawkers, & admirers.

The really good news is these encounters will be fewer and far between once night falls.

If you need to take a taxi in the evening - take one from your hotel so the frontdesk, doorman, & taxi driver all have a mutual understanding of your destination ... least until you get the hang of it all and feel totally comfortable.

As previous posters have mentioned - there is no need for concern - only exercise the same safety features/precautions that you would use anywhere, commensurate for the nature of the excursion that you plan to attend.

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

PeakXV

And I might add that even a reputable Taxi driver, once he has secured your business & comprehended your route, may stop around the next block and let in one or two shady looking characters into the front set with him.

...... but please don't worry or panic as they are always his "brothers" or "friends" that may have needed a lift or have just come along for the ride!

karuna

That happened to me. After nattering between themselves for a bit, the driver's "friend" asked me for a tip, and when I said "What for?" claimed he didn't understand English! I didn't give him a penny, and eventually he just got out somewhere and went on his way. It was unpleasant at the time, but not dangerous. Don't freak out too fast!

edwardseco

Good advice, its perhaps safer in cities than in villages at night as drunkeness is more circumspect. I did, however, have to dodge bottles from drunks in a mofussil town once in the early morning while doing 2 to a bike..

atala

I do not think any sane experienced India-visitor would advise in the here quoted way. What certainly is meant is always the non-populated, non-marekt areas in a city, and outside a town, even in a vehicle other than a car, at night.

Onecuponly

agghh!

Are you guys trying to reassure me or what?!

Aaah well to be honest I'm not too worried. I feel I've done as much research as I could have done, and am as prepared as I will ever get! Everybody I know thinks we're crazy for going: "You'll be raped and pillaged" being the most frequently offered advice (thanks mum). I'm not really that paranoid, but still know how important it is to be careful in a country where you don't know how things work.

Also, I'm about as pale, blue-eyed and blonde as I could get. Is this just going to add to the hassle? I feel it would be pretty dumb to dye my hair out of fear of getting too much attention- I'm still a white girl after all- but don't want to stick out like a sore thumb wherever I go... any advice you can give here?

thankyou all!

karuna

The usual advice is to dress like the local women do, but in general keep chests and legs and things under wraps. You will still stick out like a sore thumb, mind.

My personal advice would be avoid talking to men you don't know, but other people say that just cuts you off from potential friendships. So better perhaps to say just use your judgement about a situation.