most people hate India

I'm with Big Texan (from one of the greatest states in the USA)!!

Dani ,where are you staying, enjoying, etc Can hardly wait to hear. Hope you are going to Coonoor as well when you are in Ooty--and taking the Nilgiri Train for part of your journey (perhaps between ooty and Coonoor)i LOVED that area.

Keep having a fantastic time!!!

To stuckinindia ... Oh my ....

The great Mexican writer/poet and diplomat to India, Octavio Paz, once described India as "shit and jasmine". I recommend that you try to focus on the jasmine a little more and obsess about the shit a lot less. For me, the "jasmine" includes the Indian people - yes, they can be rude and insensitive and demanding - just like lots of people I meet at home. But they unfailingly meet my kindness and respect with kindness and respect, my laughter with laughter, my curiosity with curiosity, my Ram Ram with Ram Ram, my saalam alaikum with alaikum salaam, ....

In his book "In Light Of India", Paz wrote about his first hours in India as he set out from his hotel into the streets of Bombay. His "stream of consciousness" description is one of the best ever written. I recommend all IMers, including stuckinindia, read it.

And ... If all else fails, remember what my momma taught me, "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

Thanks big Texan, you have solved the question that has been bugging me since ages, that why nobody ever talks to me.

And ALL along you thought it was because of your Big Nose or should I say Beak.


vandy

Big Texan sir I have read many post of yours, you are one nice guy from the redneck land.

WOW! I just had a chance to go thru this entire thread, & while not surprised by the vast variety of negative the negative responses, I still beleive "you either IS an India person or you AIN'T". Attitude is a huge part of it all. And, I'm so glad I "IS" an India person! I may not be the most exciting traveler, going at a slower pace & not as adventurous as many, but I am stopping to smell the roses, (amongst many other lovely things!) & especially to enjoy the people.

Today am off to Ooty, then Mysore, then next Saturday finally Kerala, which may seem somewhat less chaotic & perhaps "cleaner" or more "civilized" but am enjoying the entire package, no matter what! Tamil Nadu is indeed a good "balanced" intro to India for 1st timers. Curious, polite, & very helpful folks.

I do find that (being not a city person) I enjoy the countryside between the cities a bit more, but also the villages, & again, always the people, Mother India's greatest asset!

The trip from Ooty to Mysore is Amazing, you will definetly pass through some Villages which will take you back in time.

happy travels


vandy

It sounds like you are having a good time, enjoying your Indian adventure. I hope you will write up your experiences and post them. I'm glad you are an IS.

Dani, as you head out of Ooty toward Mysore, you'll be going down a curving road from the hills to flat land. Have your camera ready as you leave Ooty, especially if it is morning. The site of the mists filling the valleys in the distant hills(direction to the west) is beautiful!!!

I am so glad that you are having a wonderful time!!

Thanks Vandy, Rebecca, Daisy and Drew, am lovin' it...am in Ooty tonight, had a lovely lunch today in Coonoor, Gateway Hotel, old, regal, classic hill station hotel, felt like a step back in time. It is misty and rainy tonight, nice to be cool! Ooty all day tomorrow then leave early Monday for that breathtaking drive!

Every bit of India so far is a treat to the senses!

Hope you enjoy it even more with each passing day of your trip!

DaniMontana

Yep, it's all in the attitude. One can look at life positively or negatively

Glad you are having a great time in the Niligirs - great place.

Cheers

Nattusbs

What?

I guess you've never been to New Jersey!

And I've always had a love-hate relationship with India. Don't think I could ever live there. After some time there I need a breather and gotta leave, except of course if I were in an easy place like Goa or some place in the mountains.

Me too!

I ... Oh, wait...