Feeling Cheated and Lied To

SitaParityaga · Jan 12th, 2008, 22:22

Hey opoponax...."Brooklyn via New Orleans" says it all. I bet your own good attitude and winning ways are getting you far!

90% of the game is not sweating the small stuff.

dzibead · Jan 12th, 2008, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey

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 have also found this to be the case. I don't think you so easily register as a "tourist" (and primo scam target) when you're by yourself. I don't mean you blend in, because if you look like I do, you're obviously a farangi, but you just don't look so ... touristy ..., especially in a cosmopolitan place like Mumbai.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey

I think the "guesthouse burned down" routine is more often used in Delhi ...

And certain other very touristy places, and I must say no one's ever tried that one on me so far even in those places. Anyway, I don't think it happens to people who tell the driver they're staying at The Imperial or Oberoi Maidens or some such. More likely if they're looking for something in the "Cockroach Guesthouse" category.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey

I also experienced no Delhi belly the first time.

And I would have been stunned if the opoponax had experienced it so early in her trip - if she had, she would have had to get it on the plane! Anyway, this is another one you can probably manage to avoid through the kind of routine caution urged by every guidebook - I've never fallen prey, except for one very mild bout in Leh (not Delhi

) from some undercooked (high altitude, low boiling point) veggies in a Chinese restaurant!

ChocolatNY · Jan 12th, 2008, 23:35

i too am enjoying my visit to mumbai. today i hit the colaba causeway, lunched at Mahesh Lunch Room (scrumptious sea food), munched at Leopold's and Wich Latte.. everything was so yummy! I can't believe how cheap fabrics are here.. I also found a tailor who cuts so beautifully, I almost cried with joy! Weather's pleasant and so far so good!

dzibead · Jan 12th, 2008, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChocolatNY

I also found a tailor who cuts so beautifully, I almost cried with joy!

Name and address, please!

ChocolatNY · Jan 12th, 2008, 23:51

Hingu Tailors, it's 5 mins walk from our place in Worli. I'll get you the exact address/directions tomm morning when my mother wakes up. One look at the tailor's attire and I knew mine would turn out superb. And after my terrible experiences with tailors in Delhi and Lucknow, I'm SO relieved to have discovered this guy!

dzibead · Jan 13th, 2008, 00:21

Thank you!

edwardseco · Jan 13th, 2008, 00:35

Actually, it all comes down to wearing that indiamike t shirt that shows you aren't a newbie..

aadil · Jan 13th, 2008, 00:36

Good to hear about your experiences in Mumbai!!! I am sure it is not always as bad as it sounds or seems from some of the other members' experiences. Being prepared for what may be the worst always makes it easy to get away with it.

Cheers,
Aadil.

Nick-H · Jan 13th, 2008, 00:42

C-NY... Glad you're in India, and glad you're reporting in

machadinha · Jan 13th, 2008, 03:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by the opoponax

Suffice it to say that I'm appalled at how pleasant, relaxing, and low-key supposedly intimidating Bombay would be.

Opo, I'd expected no less. Glad to know you touched down well. Don't be a stranger

(But remember there are more important things to do right now than hang out in cybercafes.)

Mochajavaman · Jan 13th, 2008, 03:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by the opoponax

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!

very glad you made it through the gauntlet unscathed! love your post and all the replies, this forum rocks! especially glad your accomodations were pleasant as I will be spending my first couple of days in Mumbai at the same place in a couple of weeks...

can't wait to hear more...cheers!

ChocolatNY · Jan 13th, 2008, 11:40

thanks Nick. I went Mumbai-Delhi-Agra-Bangalore-Kabini-Coorg-Mamallapuram-Lucknow and now back in Mumbai. Since I had to work every evening, it was terribly busy, but I managed to have a great time. I'll put up my travelogue once I catch my breath.

Nick-H · Jan 13th, 2008, 14:21

Mamallapuram! What an odd dash to the SE coast!

You might have dropped in on me in Chennai, less than an hour up the road

!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mochajavaman

very glad you made it through the gauntlet unscathed!

Mixed Metaphors'R'Us?

But I'm sure I share your sentiment

phunkymonkey · Jan 13th, 2008, 18:54

mumbai is a lovely little bubble of loveliness and i'm glad i'm back here for the night before heading to pune

when i got to nasik i wanted my mommy

ChocolatNY · Jan 13th, 2008, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Mamallapuram! What an odd dash to the SE coast!

You might have dropped in on me in Chennai, less than an hour up the road

!

Nick, we stayed at the GRT resort in Mpuram with the Bay of Bengal a stone's throw away from my cottage. All I can say is WOW.. it would have been AWESOME had it not been for that nasty cyclone Dec 17-18. Because of that we ended up canceling our trip to Pondicherry.

Anyway, I did think of you as we passed through Chennai.. I kept wondering if the tourists around me were IMers! We should all get lil yellow IndiaMiker badges to wear on holidays!