Feeling Cheated and Lied To

the opoponax

OK, guys, what gives?

I was promised an incredibly intimidating hassle upon arrival in Bombay. Then you told me I would inevitably be taken advantage of at the hotel. That the food would be miserable and probably make me sick. Beggars following me down the streets, shaking their leprous stubs in my face. Touts physically shoving me into their uncle's shop.

WTF?

The airport was fine. Not as pretty as the one in Zurich where I had my layover, but perfectly acceptable.

There was only ONE pre-paid taxi booth, and I was charged a perfectly acceptable fee by them. My driver didn't even hassle me for an exhorbitant tip!

Oh, and about said taxi driver. What ever happened to the usual "Your hotel has burned down" runaround? Wasn't he supposed to pick up 3 or 4 big dudes (preferably armed) along the way? Wasn't I supposed to be afraid he'd either rob or rape me? This was the worst, in terms of feeling completely gypped. Mr. Prakash was incredibly kind, we had a lovely chat the whole way, and it was so much fun (yes, there, I said it, FUN!) that the time flew by and we were at my hotel (which he even knew how to get to without any prompting!!!) before I knew it.

And let's not even talk about the hotel. While it cost a little more than I'd like, it was clean, comfortable, and pretty much everything you could ask for. There weren't even any rats or roaches!

I refuse to even go into the complete lack of Delhi Belly and the politeness of every single Indian I have dealt with so far. Suffice it to say that I'm appalled at how pleasant, relaxing, and low-key supposedly intimidating Bombay would be. And this was supposed to be the hard part, too! I don't even want to know what other kinds of happy surprises are in store over the next couple of months.

wonderwomanusa

Don't hold your breath, sister ... keep breathing and eventually Mom India will notice that you're there and surprise you with something you never even considered!

Have a really great visit, and remember that you learn best from the "bad trips," not the good ones!

capt_mahajan

Welcome to India, opoponax

Glad you had an easy landing.

But, err, keep the powder dry. Statistically speaking, you should be running into the other guys today.


More seriously, there is no harm in keeping the guard up. Also safer.

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Outside the machine

edwardseco

Somebody who looks like the know what is happening as opposed to the usual deer in the headlights expression will be much less likely to be a target. Forewarned is forearmed..

the opoponax

Oh, I'm by no means letting my guard down.

I'm just shocked by how easy it is. I'm sure I'll have my share of knocks. First train trip is tonight and I wake up in Goa. So we'll see.

Nick-H

Welcome!

mairangi_vice

Im sure you will encounter some problems eventually. The trick is not to let it bother you. Ive seen people totally flip out over something that I barely even registered as a problem! When something does happen, just take it as being a part of India (or whatever country you are in) and dont let it ruin your time here.

Fionabog

If you read my posts in the Mumbai forum about a month or so ago, you'll find I posted very much the same thing.
We REALLY enjoyed Mumbai, it's a great place, and has many many wonderful people.
If you get chance, make sure you
1
Eat at Leopold's( you've probably already done that)
2.
Eat at Sachin Tendulker's FANTASTIC restaurant.
3.
Go to the Prince of Wales Museum-so good
4.
If you have time, after doing all the must sees, go to the Zoo. It's lovely, and clean, and green, and a really really good break from all the 'city-ness'
enjoy your time in great Mumbai

Aishah

the opoponax - you've done your preparations, research etc. and you're prepared for anything. Good it is all going well and that's the way it should be. Like the Scouts' motto 'Be Prepared'!! all the hints and reading you have stored up might be brought into play at any time and you will have the skills to deal with unexpected events because of this. Since living here, I have found the more you know the easier it is.(Apart from the Drivers' Licence!!)IM is a great resource for this. Be aware at all times is what I say.

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"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

dhans

Yeah, officially we have a trend! Describe your positive experiences in a funny and slightly cynical way!

You will also get the seven year itch!!

Hans

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Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids
Stories about our travels in India: Journal

navinkurian2002

the opoponax I guess con inc figured they should not mess with an india miker .

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It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare dream of meeting your heart's longing.

burf

ummm... i guess you find it earlier after it not being your first trip to India... ummm... right?

Mehndi Masala

LOL I really belive that being forewarned is forearmed! I had VERY little problems in Mumbai and in Delhi, the two flat tires to and from Agra barely registered. "It's India......" and only one cabbie ever really ripped us off, only two other drivers cajoled for larger tips, and shopkeeps were great, service at restauraunts were awsome, chaiwallas are charming, hotel staff awsome. So most little issues, were barely registered as issues. (Were there any real issues?!??) So glad you made it there safe and sound! Have fun and I shall sit here and be really really really jelous! (missing Mumbai horribly....thinking of it daily )

Kim

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Time flies like an arrow..........
Fruit flies like a banana!



Mumbai/New Delhi/Agra pix on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?i...id=5503760 15
(there are 5 more just go back to the photo albums!)

Old Blog from my India Adventure!
http://winnipeghenna.blogspot.com/

PeakXV

Eventually IndiaMike will have a cyber-room where you slap on goggles and take a 3d virtual test drive of India complete with all it's roses & warts ..... to fully prepare you or let you decide if it's your cup of tea.


...... the current literary form - ain't too bad though.

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What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

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

Casey

Glad to hear you arrived and things are going well. I found that when I travelled by myself I was approached by touts far less often that I was when I was travelling with someone. I also found Bombay to be quite pleasant and easy to handle. I think the "guesthouse burned down" routine is more often used in Delhi, perhaps because of the abundance of cheap places to stay competing means more payout to drivers. I also experienced no Delhi belly the first time. I think it just waited for me until my second trip. I am sure you will find that you attitude effects how you perceive things and you are on your way to having a great time. If you get the chance (and are so inclined) keep posting for those of us to live vicariously. These are my favorite posts. The ones written during the experience.