Travel w/ Senior Citizens in Rajasthan : please advise

dhans

After the travel with kids section it's abou time for travel with the third age . I've been trying to get my parents so mad that they will join us on the next trip, but so far without success.

1. Training: Excellent for any age, but certainly now!

2. carrying chairs. You'll find porters at any temple on a hill, but not at places like Bundi, or the forts near Udaipur. You will find someone to help you, but without proper training (whatever) I would not trust them with your parents.

3. Bring the prescription and they will make spares lmost anywhere.

4.forget about prevention medicine, wash your hands, take good care and bring immodium.

5. What??

6. Movie theatre: no problem, bring some porters.

7. . Yeah I recognise something of my mother. A good stiff drink helps.

8. Feb march is not a busy time. I would contemplate not reserving a lot, a just go along with the flow. We did that with our kids and it's great to adapt to their rhytm, instead of a shedule.

9. Jaisalmer. If you go with the flo, you may cosider to skip it all together ......

Still; great plan, lots of sccess!!

Hans

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wonderwomanusa

If your father isn't on insulin, all he has to do is bring his pills and remember to take them, and be very careful of his diet. If he is normally well-controlled at home, a couple of weeks in India might not be great for his blood sugar, but is probably not the worst thing for him, so long as he can get some exercise. Can't stress this strongly enough. I think you'll be doing enough sight-seeing that he will be walking more than he does at home so it should be okay.

machadinha

I really don't mean this crankily or whatever at all: But revisiting this thread I wonder why take some elderly people who apparently aren't used to physical exercise to ff'ing India of all places?

It's an honest question, you know them better than we do. I was also wondering is this your wish or theirs though.

ps Before I have the whole board all over me, it's hardly the elderly bit that worries me. It's the being used to having to make do that does though.

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Khandoma

Hi again !

Machadinha : Gotcha. As for walking, crossing streets etc, I know what you mean. Not to say crossing Indian streets is an easy matter, but here in Paris we cross streets the same way - are you saying this pole with the cute color bulbs is actually a red light ? Granted, our streets are much smaller, and we don't have that many rickshaws and camels out there, but people on foot and drivers are equally lunatic, and the recent bicycle craze has introduced a new type of predator. So I know it'll seem weird but I actually enjoy crossing streets in India, feels like home. Still, I'll make sure my parents come out of it in one piece. And per the more general culture shock, they'll read a lot beforehand (including Beach's excellent "India Confusion" post on this site), but I'm pretty sure nothing can prepare you for how "it" feels. Btw, any reading recommendations are welcome.

dhans : Loved your mail, thanks. Good info on porters, real helpful. Although my shrink would doubt it, I'm not too crazy about porters dropping my mom on temple stairs. So whatever places we can't access, we'll just forget about. Thanks much for your advice on hotel reservations, exactly what I needed to know. I would really hate to drop Jaisalmer though, but I know I need to be totally adaptable to my folks' schedule here. And you just reminded me to pack that bottle of Armagnac !

Wonderwoman, you wear your name well, concise & precise info always. Got your point about exercise along the way. Sightseeing will provide exercise, you're right. I'll be booking hotels with (clean) swimming pools in Jaipur and Mumbai. And you got me thinking, an oil massage now and then might be what they need after road or plane trips. What's your view on them ? Can the average masseur handle the brittler bones of older people ? (No help at all with keeping the sugar low, I know, but I believe general well-being is prevention in itself).

Thanks all !

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Khandoma

Sorry, just missed your post in my former reply.

It's an excellent question and I'm taking it very seriously.
Believe me, I'd much rather take them to Thailand - or South Korea or Japan or Indonesia or many, many other places in Asia. Actually, in most of those places they wouldn't even need me.

It is their choice, or rather, my mother's choice and my dad has been brainwashed into following. Art, architecture and literature are the main attractions. They are not ready for the human contact part, and won't ever be until they get there.

As for the physical and psychological tiredness that comes from dealing with India on a daily basis, well, that's where I come in, to some extent. I'll be handling the whole organizing bit and make things smooth for them along the way, much as I can. For them it'll be much like booking a pre-organized, tailor-made tour, except they can insult the tour guide at dinner.

I've had my doubts about this, also because I'm fearing the psychological wear & tear it'll have on me. But research, and great advice from IMers, make me believe it can be done. Granted, I like a good challenge, and I just love organizing trips. I'll be sure to keep a travel journal and post it online, to share the fun...

machadinha

Heheh. Then go for it, I have little other advice

Seriously, sounds every bit well-planned. Just do it. If it turns out a regret, regrets are there to deal with, right. (I was gonna quote a punk song here but figured I'd better not.)

wonderwomanusa

Sorry, Khandoma, I don't get oil massages (or any other sort) in India, so can't say if it would be a benefit or not. It might be nice after a long day of walking around ...

dhans

Always helpful as IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) might just do the trick as antifreeze.

The ayurvedic oilmassages are great and do really help!!

Hans

Nick-H

Outside of the trekking areas, I don't think that one needs to walk a lot in India!

In fact you are quite likely to find it all too easy to take an auto or a car for something that would have been a walk at home. And you'd probably walk it here, if you know the way or didn't have a tour guide ushering you into the car.

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Khandoma

Hans : !! And thanks for the massage tip.

Nick : Now that's an interesting take. When I was in Rajasthan I spent my money on nice accomodation (I could afford it then...) and went around on foot, and the occasionnal rickshaw, so I'm under the impression that I walked all the time. But you're right, inner-city trips can be accomplished by car. However, what is a really small stroll to you and me is not for my parents. For instance, the distance from the entrance gate of the Taj Mahal to the mausoleum itself is a walk in its own right, and I'm not planning to go anywhere else that day. Also, a dilapidated pavement can make it so much harder for them, and dirt roads are out (when on foot).

But again, I'm probably over-worrying and over-preparing. That's my personal neurosis, I'm a compulsive travel planner. So I'll keep in mind what you said !

Many thanks,

brownboy66

Hi Khandoma

Can't help with anything re the special needs your parents have (besides - looks like there is plenty of excellent advice there already). The only thing that strikes me about your post is the timing for the hotels. Without knowing which hotels you are going to be booked into - it may be ok for Rajasthan, but not sure about Mumbai. If bookings are anything like Delhi - it would be high season - and busy. May pay to check with them directly.

Also - I'm with Dhans re the stiff drink to deal with the temper. You know - slip some whiskey into a tea or coffee. If it doesn't help your mother then it may be just what you need....

good luck...

machadinha

Mumbai's known to be tough hotel-wise at the best of times yes, so good idea to make all the arrangements you can.

Gardener972

Having almost died of "traveler's diarrhea" from a trip into the heart of Mexico from ONLY brushing my teeth with tap water, I would STRONGLY recommend they use only bottled water for brushing their teeth.

You have a lot planned for three weeks for people in their 70's. Be prepared to drop something from your itinerary if/when they get tired and overwhelmed. Do everything in the morning as they'll lose their steam by afternoon.

They are brave and adventurous people!

Khandoma

Sorry I was out this past couple of days, way too much work.

Brownboy66 and Machadinha : duly noted, thanks. Will definitely book the Mumbai hotel, and Jaipur too.

Brownboy66 (and Hans) : don't take me for a water-drinker or anything, but I'd actually like my parents to go easy on the booze while in India. While it does help with the temper in small doses, it certainly takes a physical toll. That said, I'll probably bring some vodka, as there are chances I'll come back from Poland only a couple of weeks before India.

Gardener972 : Totally agree about the tooth-brushing advice, am really careful about this. And yes, I'll probably have to drop places from the itinerary along the way. Anyway, the plan is not to go for relentless sight-seeing and cross off monuments from a list. One site, maybe two in the mornings, and lazy afternoons with an occasionnal movie or puja or concert. Since I have been to those places before, I'll make a merciless selection, and we'll drop whatever we need to drop. I want my parents to experience India, as opposed to visiting a giant museum - and ending up sick. Oh, and I'll tell them you called them "brave and adventurous", it'll pick their spirits up whenever they'll want to lock themselves up in their hotel room...

Thanks everyone !

tongoka

Hello Khandoma,
Just to let you know I took my dying mother to India (her wish)It was a total success as the people made it a pleasure. We hired a driver and he catered to my mothers needs. Some days we went far and she saw a lot others she wasnt feeling so well and we did less. He always found her somewhere great to sit and watch all the goings on. I couldnt believe the kindness everyone gave us. Im sure your parents will have a great time!!
Good Luck and Good Travels
Anabel