Safety for Westerners

Sep 3rd, 2002, 23:36

Hi!
My husband and I are contemplating a package tour to India in November. I have dreamed about going to India for quite a while. I would like to go now, while we have the time and money. I am, however, a little concerned about safety.
I guess I am concerned about whether Western tourists should be concerned about traveling there, basically to the South. I tend to be a little concerned about the possiblility of the U.S. attacking Iraq (thereby further increasing chances of anger towards U.S. citizens), and the the possibility of Pakistan and India getting fired up again.
Is it better to wait for a less chaotic time?
Thanks! (:

wei · Sep 3rd, 2002, 23:53

where you want to be

Sep 4th, 2002, 01:31

Sorry. (: Are you asking where I want to go? (:

tracyprier · Sep 4th, 2002, 03:39

India is one of the safest places you can travel around...ignore paranoid and totally out-of-touch government warnings.

Just go

indiamike · Sep 4th, 2002, 04:26

I went to India a few months after 9/11 and believe me everyone thought I was crazy for going, even throwing me a farewell party where everyone put their names on my stuff just in case I didn't make it back.

After three months in India, I had not one problem nor did anyone else I talk to.

I am not sure how the Iraq thing is going to affect travel, in my personal opinion it is just a bluff by the US just to force the inspectors back in, however if there was any problems with traveling in India you would here about it first from this site.

The current U.S. travel advisory has also given the thumbs up for travellers.

If you have a chance to go and you haven't been, do it. It is like nothing else you will ever experience.

Cheers
Mike

maree · Sep 4th, 2002, 06:40

My friend and I were at the very tip of India on Sept 11 and watched the whole thing unfold on CNN and BBC. The next day the deluge of e-mails began - people from home telling us we were stupid to stay in India and should come home. Instead of overreacting we kept a watchful eye on the media (but not taking anything at face value) and also looked out for battleships each day!! (by now we were at a beach in Kerala) Always felt perfectly safe - southern India is a very peaceful place. Moved back up north after another month and encountered no problems there either. I think that you just have to play it by ear.... I'm going back to India in December/January and wouldn't dream of going to Kashmir - a lot of people have perfectly safe trips there but I think it's all a matter of weighing up potential risk. I spent three fantastic months in Pakistan last year (prior to Sept 11!) but wouldn't go there at the moment for various reasons. So, it's up to you but if you do go I hope you have a fantastic, safe time.

wei · Sep 4th, 2002, 06:55

Watson · Sep 4th, 2002, 19:44

Went last year a month after Sept. 11th and not one problem or safety concern....

paan wallah · Sep 5th, 2002, 04:49

I guess India is by far the safest country to travell in in this world
also it s like everywhere on this world,if you are at the wrong time at the wrong place...out and over...
i was robbed once in my lifetime..and this was in my hometown..
the worst things ever happened to me in india was a stolen t-shirt...I nearly fell into a 20 m deep well,totally drunk...
I guess the most dangerous "things" in India are the dogs!
but take care maybe the indians will steal your heart!
so that you have to come back over and over again to search for it....

tlotoxl · Oct 9th, 2002, 01:20

my girlfriend got groped quite nastily in northern kerala and there are some nasty figures out at night, sometimes, but it did seem relatively safe. still, if i was an attractive female, i wouldn't feel at all secure walking around some parts of india by myself. stares are one thing, but outright tongue-waggling, self-gratification and groping are another.

IainC · Oct 9th, 2002, 02:58

I have been to India twice since 11 Sept, the second time was when the British Foreign Office was telling all Brits to leave (India and Pakistan had just mobilised 1 million troops). And I had my best trip to India ever! When I arrived, I walked along Paharganj and instead of being hassled to buy things I was having my hand shook by countless Indians, and drank huge quantities of free chai. As anywhere in the world, there are some problems, you just have to keep your wits about you. Generally speaking, India is a very safe and welcoming country for western tourists, even in times of apparent tension.

Annie_T · Oct 10th, 2002, 06:14

By the time you've dealt with crazy drivers, unsafe wiring, structurally unsound buildings, snakes, scorpions, rabid monkeys and food poisoning you won't give a toss about the threat of biological warfare. You'll be fine. Go for it!

Sep 3rd, 2002, 23:36	#1
lupita1868 Posts: n/a	Safety for Westerners Hi! My husband and I are contemplating a package tour to India in November. I have dreamed about going to India for quite a while. I would like to go now, while we have the time and money. I am, however, a little concerned about safety. I guess I am concerned about whether Western tourists should be concerned about traveling there, basically to the South. I tend to be a little concerned about the possiblility of the U.S. attacking Iraq (thereby further increasing chances of anger towards U.S. citizens), and the the possibility of Pakistan and India getting fired up again. Is it better to wait for a less chaotic time? Thanks! (:

Sep 4th, 2002, 03:39	#4
tracyprier "Hello-Kitty" must die! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New Zealand Posts: 60	India is one of the safest places you can travel around...ignore paranoid and totally out-of-touch government warnings. Just go __________________ India...Wild At Heart

Sep 4th, 2002, 19:44	#8
Watson You look, No Problem! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 241	No Prob. Went last year a month after Sept. 11th and not one problem or safety concern....

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Sep 3rd, 2002, 23:53	#2
wei Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: from taiwan Posts: 12	where you want to be

Sep 4th, 2002, 01:31	#3
lupita1868 Posts: n/a	Sorry. (: Are you asking where I want to go? (:

Sep 4th, 2002, 04:26	#5
indiamike Retired Admin Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New Joisey for now Posts: 1,759	I went to India a few months after 9/11 and believe me everyone thought I was crazy for going, even throwing me a farewell party where everyone put their names on my stuff just in case I didn't make it back. After three months in India, I had not one problem nor did anyone else I talk to. I am not sure how the Iraq thing is going to affect travel, in my personal opinion it is just a bluff by the US just to force the inspectors back in, however if there was any problems with traveling in India you would here about it first from this site. The current U.S. travel advisory has also given the thumbs up for travellers. If you have a chance to go and you haven't been, do it. It is like nothing else you will ever experience. Cheers Mike

Sep 4th, 2002, 06:40	#6
maree Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Zealander in Bangkok Posts: 850	My friend and I were at the very tip of India on Sept 11 and watched the whole thing unfold on CNN and BBC. The next day the deluge of e-mails began - people from home telling us we were stupid to stay in India and should come home. Instead of overreacting we kept a watchful eye on the media (but not taking anything at face value) and also looked out for battleships each day!! (by now we were at a beach in Kerala) Always felt perfectly safe - southern India is a very peaceful place. Moved back up north after another month and encountered no problems there either. I think that you just have to play it by ear.... I'm going back to India in December/January and wouldn't dream of going to Kashmir - a lot of people have perfectly safe trips there but I think it's all a matter of weighing up potential risk. I spent three fantastic months in Pakistan last year (prior to Sept 11!) but wouldn't go there at the moment for various reasons. So, it's up to you but if you do go I hope you have a fantastic, safe time.

Sep 4th, 2002, 06:55	#7
wei Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: from taiwan Posts: 12

Sep 5th, 2002, 04:49	#9
paan wallah kitchen guru Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: universe Posts: 344	I guess India is by far the safest country to travell in in this world also it s like everywhere on this world,if you are at the wrong time at the wrong place...out and over... i was robbed once in my lifetime..and this was in my hometown.. the worst things ever happened to me in india was a stolen t-shirt...I nearly fell into a 20 m deep well,totally drunk... I guess the most dangerous "things" in India are the dogs! but take care maybe the indians will steal your heart! so that you have to come back over and over again to search for it....

Oct 9th, 2002, 01:20	#10
tlotoxl Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Japan Posts: 10	my girlfriend got groped quite nastily in northern kerala and there are some nasty figures out at night, sometimes, but it did seem relatively safe. still, if i was an attractive female, i wouldn't feel at all secure walking around some parts of india by myself. stares are one thing, but outright tongue-waggling, self-gratification and groping are another.

Oct 9th, 2002, 02:58	#11
IainC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Posts: 194	I have been to India twice since 11 Sept, the second time was when the British Foreign Office was telling all Brits to leave (India and Pakistan had just mobilised 1 million troops). And I had my best trip to India ever! When I arrived, I walked along Paharganj and instead of being hassled to buy things I was having my hand shook by countless Indians, and drank huge quantities of free chai. As anywhere in the world, there are some problems, you just have to keep your wits about you. Generally speaking, India is a very safe and welcoming country for western tourists, even in times of apparent tension.

Oct 10th, 2002, 06:14	#12
Annie_T Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 61	By the time you've dealt with crazy drivers, unsafe wiring, structurally unsound buildings, snakes, scorpions, rabid monkeys and food poisoning you won't give a toss about the threat of biological warfare. You'll be fine. Go for it!

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