First time arrival experiences.

indiamike · Jul 11th, 2003, 04:38

You know I was just about finished writing up my first time arrival experience and after reading kokopelli's story I threw it in the trash.

Next time someone says "what's India like, are all the people sitting around doing Yoga and Meditating", I will refer them to that post.

Are there going to be any photo's in the gallery from this event?

Mike

absolut · Jul 11th, 2003, 17:19

for covering the time until the snaps are released you can always watch the hindi movie 'Chandni Bar'. The story goes abt such a 'dancing' in Mumbai. The movie finally got banned in India I think.

LaContessa · Jul 11th, 2003, 18:08

Kokopellis story has just had me weeping with laughter over my keyboard. That is truly the most original baptism of fire story!

Photos please!!

freemanx · Apr 22nd, 2004, 09:06

i read a lot of threads in the last weeks, but this one has to be the best!
would like to hear more from others. please post!
its a pitty you threw your story away mike.

AllanM · Apr 22nd, 2004, 11:37

Ahh, just thinking about that first arrival makes me get all misty eyed. I would say it rated as more memorable/better than any of those other "first time" things people usually talk about.

The thrills, the chills, the feeling of being on a rollercoaster that may not be safe. Oh what I wouldn't give to get that night back to live again and again!

guerik · Apr 22nd, 2004, 12:05

My arrival story isn't very interesting, but I'll post it as reassurance for first-time travellers

I bought the cheapest ticket available at the time, with JAL (so not too bad, quality-wise!). After a 9-hour flight, an overnight stop in Narita (near Tokyo), during which I got about 2 hours sleep, and another 9 hour flight, I finally arrived in Delhi.
I'd prebooked an airport transfer and my first night's accomodation through Namaste India Tours (http://www.namasteindiatours.com) and my fabulous driver, Prem, was there to greet me with my name on a sign.
He drove me through smoggy Delhi at dusk, chattering away in English and teaching me a few Hindi words to get by with ("how much?" was the key phrase, from memory).
When we arrived at the hotel I was met by the owner of Namaste Tours and had a quick cup of chai before collapsing into bed in front of some random program on Sahara.

Next morning Prem took me for a tour around Delhi, helping me avoid touts where possible and "helping" me buy a salwar kameez for travelling in (at what I now know was a pretty inflated price, but I had such an excellent time on the rest of the trip I can live with that!

)

I highly reccomend this as the easiest way to avoid culture shock - meeting a friendly smiling person at the airport gave me an excellent first impression of India!

DianeN. · Apr 22nd, 2004, 17:20

My arrival in India was rather unique...I was met at the gate of the airplane by an airlines official--almost like I was a celebrity! My friend was a manager for Air India for many years, and even though I flew on China Air, he made arrangements for me and my daughter when our flight arrived at 2:00 a.m. We where whisked through immigration and would have been whisked through customs, too---but my bags did NOT appear. Finally, they trickled down the conveyer belt. I had tons of stuff with me because I was bringing things for my friends. Just as my "helper" was getting ready to file a missing bag report, my bag came rolling down the aisle all by its lonesome--the very last bag to appear, about five minutes after everyone else had their bags. I exchanged some money and right at the exit was my friend--we exchanged hugs, and his driver took us back to their house. It was rather hazy (or perhaps it was my sleep deprived mind) and I felt rather disoriented. We got back to their house in about twenty minutes and met my dear friend with hugs and kisses all around. We stayed up till about four talking...then went to sleep for a few hours. I woke up to the sounds of "kabari! Kabari!"---the recycle man calling out to the neighborhood at around 8:00 a.m. To me, that will be the sound of India in my mind.
Then around 8:30, the masseuse came and gave me a full body massage--including my hair. I loved everything, except the hair part --it took weeks to get the oil out of my hair.
Got in the car to go shopping at Sarojini--and WOW, unbelievable. Cows in the road! Took lots of pictures. Glad I did take pictures then...after that hardly noticed

guerik · Apr 22nd, 2004, 18:13

DianeN - I think your way is even -better- for avoiding culture shock

SHIMLA · Apr 22nd, 2004, 21:21

I remember nothing of my first time arrival in India. The following is only from what I have been told about it:

I was turned upside down, spanked on the bottom and made to cry !! What a reception !!!

This was at 9.15p.m. on November 28, 1962, at St. Martin's Hospital, Bandra West, Mumbai. I was born then !!

steven_ber · Apr 23rd, 2004, 00:22

Quote:

I was turned upside down, spanked on the bottom and made to cry !! What a reception !!!

First Class humour.

Dr Funkenstein · Apr 24th, 2004, 14:48

Quote:

Originally posted by SHIMLA
I remember nothing of my first time arrival in India. The following is only from what I have been told about it:

I was turned upside down, spanked on the bottom and made to cry !! What a reception !!!

LMAO !!!

guerik · Apr 24th, 2004, 14:53

Thank god my driver showed a little restraint and didn't do the same

Nice one, Shimla!

nedhopkins · Jul 7th, 2004, 12:30

>>yep, but is India considered a "third world country" What is a third world country by western definition?<<

In the 1950s the planet was divided into 'first,' 'second,' and 'third world' countries. The first included the United States and its affluent allies; the second, the Soviet Union and its 'satellites;' the third, all other nations.

Since the end of the Cold War, and even before, 'third world' has mostly been replaced with 'developing' (or even 'under-developed,' a less politically correct term).

Edit note:

Personal political opinion removed, please keep on-topic.

Steve.

ddutta · Jul 7th, 2004, 13:50

SHIMLA

simply superb

Serena · Jul 8th, 2004, 04:04

Just remember my first time in India (1989)...
I was shocked when I saw my first cow in the middle of our road from airport to the Tourist Camp (Delhi), I started bumping on my seat in the bus and screamed:"Look! ". And my friend just shaked his head....

Anyway, the true story is about Varanasi that we reached after few days... My travel companion, Alberto, was an experienced traveller and I did what he said to me without saying a word, but in this case.....We arrived in Varanasi by train, found a lodge and left our backpacks and then rush on the ghats....Just a little problem: we couldn't be able to find the river!!!!

All the afternoon we walked down and up, asked several times for the river (we didn't know that the name of the river in hindi is Ganga at that time), and at last we saw it! We walked beside it and finally reached the bank at the Trilochan Ghat (or near). Consider that our hotel was near Assi Ghat ......

Still now when my husband want to joke about my orientation he says to me:" You couldn't be able to find the Gange in Varanasi!"

Ciao and ....Sorry for my english!

Apr 22nd, 2004, 11:37	#20
AllanM mistri Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO US Posts: 124	Ahh, just thinking about that first arrival makes me get all misty eyed. I would say it rated as more memorable/better than any of those other "first time" things people usually talk about. The thrills, the chills, the feeling of being on a rollercoaster that may not be safe. Oh what I wouldn't give to get that night back to live again and again! __________________ Me fail English? That's unpossible!--Ralph Wiggum

Apr 22nd, 2004, 21:21	#24
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,126	First time arrival ! I remember nothing of my first time arrival in India. The following is only from what I have been told about it: I was turned upside down, spanked on the bottom and made to cry !! What a reception !!! This was at 9.15p.m. on November 28, 1962, at St. Martin's Hospital, Bandra West, Mumbai. I was born then !! __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Jul 7th, 2004, 12:30	#28
nedhopkins Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: California Posts: 268	>>yep, but is India considered a "third world country" What is a third world country by western definition?<< In the 1950s the planet was divided into 'first,' 'second,' and 'third world' countries. The first included the United States and its affluent allies; the second, the Soviet Union and its 'satellites;' the third, all other nations. Since the end of the Cold War, and even before, 'third world' has mostly been replaced with 'developing' (or even 'under-developed,' a less politically correct term). Edit note: Personal political opinion removed, please keep on-topic. Steve. Last edited by steven_ber : Jul 7th, 2004 at 13:33.

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Jul 11th, 2003, 04:38	#16
indiamike Retired Admin Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New Joisey for now Posts: 1,759	You know I was just about finished writing up my first time arrival experience and after reading kokopelli's story I threw it in the trash. Next time someone says "what's India like, are all the people sitting around doing Yoga and Meditating", I will refer them to that post. Are there going to be any photo's in the gallery from this event? Mike

Jul 11th, 2003, 17:19	#17
absolut Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 54	for covering the time until the snaps are released you can always watch the hindi movie 'Chandni Bar'. The story goes abt such a 'dancing' in Mumbai. The movie finally got banned in India I think.

Jul 11th, 2003, 18:08	#18
LaContessa Diabla Supreme Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 122	Kokopellis story has just had me weeping with laughter over my keyboard. That is truly the most original baptism of fire story! Photos please!!

Apr 22nd, 2004, 09:06	#19
freemanx Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: somewhere Posts: 432	i read a lot of threads in the last weeks, but this one has to be the best! would like to hear more from others. please post! its a pitty you threw your story away mike.

Apr 22nd, 2004, 12:05	#21
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	My arrival story isn't very interesting, but I'll post it as reassurance for first-time travellers I bought the cheapest ticket available at the time, with JAL (so not too bad, quality-wise!). After a 9-hour flight, an overnight stop in Narita (near Tokyo), during which I got about 2 hours sleep, and another 9 hour flight, I finally arrived in Delhi. I'd prebooked an airport transfer and my first night's accomodation through Namaste India Tours (http://www.namasteindiatours.com) and my fabulous driver, Prem, was there to greet me with my name on a sign. He drove me through smoggy Delhi at dusk, chattering away in English and teaching me a few Hindi words to get by with ("how much?" was the key phrase, from memory). When we arrived at the hotel I was met by the owner of Namaste Tours and had a quick cup of chai before collapsing into bed in front of some random program on Sahara. Next morning Prem took me for a tour around Delhi, helping me avoid touts where possible and "helping" me buy a salwar kameez for travelling in (at what I now know was a pretty inflated price, but I had such an excellent time on the rest of the trip I can live with that! ) I highly reccomend this as the easiest way to avoid culture shock - meeting a friendly smiling person at the airport gave me an excellent first impression of India!

Apr 22nd, 2004, 17:20	#22
DianeN. Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Japan Posts: 255	My arrival in India was rather unique...I was met at the gate of the airplane by an airlines official--almost like I was a celebrity! My friend was a manager for Air India for many years, and even though I flew on China Air, he made arrangements for me and my daughter when our flight arrived at 2:00 a.m. We where whisked through immigration and would have been whisked through customs, too---but my bags did NOT appear. Finally, they trickled down the conveyer belt. I had tons of stuff with me because I was bringing things for my friends. Just as my "helper" was getting ready to file a missing bag report, my bag came rolling down the aisle all by its lonesome--the very last bag to appear, about five minutes after everyone else had their bags. I exchanged some money and right at the exit was my friend--we exchanged hugs, and his driver took us back to their house. It was rather hazy (or perhaps it was my sleep deprived mind) and I felt rather disoriented. We got back to their house in about twenty minutes and met my dear friend with hugs and kisses all around. We stayed up till about four talking...then went to sleep for a few hours. I woke up to the sounds of "kabari! Kabari!"---the recycle man calling out to the neighborhood at around 8:00 a.m. To me, that will be the sound of India in my mind. Then around 8:30, the masseuse came and gave me a full body massage--including my hair. I loved everything, except the hair part --it took weeks to get the oil out of my hair. Got in the car to go shopping at Sarojini--and WOW, unbelievable. Cows in the road! Took lots of pictures. Glad I did take pictures then...after that hardly noticed

Apr 22nd, 2004, 18:13	#23
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	DianeN - I think your way is even -better- for avoiding culture shock

Apr 24th, 2004, 14:53	#27
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Thank god my driver showed a little restraint and didn't do the same Nice one, Shimla!

Jul 7th, 2004, 13:50	#29
ddutta Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: kolkata Posts: 803	SHIMLA simply superb

Jul 8th, 2004, 04:04	#30
Serena Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bologna, Italy Posts: 292	Just remember my first time in India (1989)... I was shocked when I saw my first cow in the middle of our road from airport to the Tourist Camp (Delhi), I started bumping on my seat in the bus and screamed:"Look! ". And my friend just shaked his head.... Anyway, the true story is about Varanasi that we reached after few days... My travel companion, Alberto, was an experienced traveller and I did what he said to me without saying a word, but in this case.....We arrived in Varanasi by train, found a lodge and left our backpacks and then rush on the ghats....Just a little problem: we couldn't be able to find the river!!!! All the afternoon we walked down and up, asked several times for the river (we didn't know that the name of the river in hindi is Ganga at that time), and at last we saw it! We walked beside it and finally reached the bank at the Trilochan Ghat (or near). Consider that our hotel was near Assi Ghat ...... Still now when my husband want to joke about my orientation he says to me:" You couldn't be able to find the Gange in Varanasi!" Ciao and ....Sorry for my english!