Im afraid.......am I alone?

Baldy

my two cents ... India is not a violent or aggressive place ... there will be scams and theft by stealth, but not by mugging or confrontation.

don't care what anyone says, sexual harrasment of women is a reality, but far from inevitable ... have noticed increasingly gangs of young men will abuse travellers in the tourist spots ... scary but not violent

still, the culture shock is the best part ... enjoy!!

Baldy

cyberhippie

Well I'm a veteran of 14 trips to India and I still get nervous as the big day approaches.
Strangely I have a lot of the same feelings running through my brain as Steven Ber.
I'm worried that I maybe pin too much hope and expectation on my trips to India. I worry that some how on the upcoming trip that my enthusiasm will wane and India will have changed for me, no longer the friendly open place I love so much.
I worry things will conspire against me and the trip will go completely wrong.
Up until now India has always pulled through though and the nerves vanish as I step out of the taxi into Paharganj, I say when I get out of the taxi as the first taxi ride through the dark streets of Delhi still increases the heart rate!!
After that then I'm truly "home" don't worry everything will be fine!!

Happy Traveling

Nick-H

CyberHippie,

Remember when matchboxes used to have sayings on the back? One only sticks in my mind...

"Worry is like a rocking horse: gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere"

Can't claim that I always remember that, though

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elayne

10 days to go and I am on arollercoaster of emotions - mainly leaving my family at home and hoping my house will be o.k. and in India I am worried about my expectations but can't wait until I leave.
BOOM SHANKAR
Elayne

Gaye

Id be interested to hear suggestions on avoiding dehli belly - Unfortunatly, I'm generally the one who does get sick in asia - there have even been occasions when I have ended up accessing a variety of asian medical facilities - a cultural experience in itself (really!) -but my partner is concerned at what sort of external pathogens I might encounter in India -

great site - thanks crew...

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butterball

Hey, lobo, it's probably anxiety and exciement in equal quantities.. You've done it before and you'll have a better time of it second time around. Not that there won't be the odd hiccup !

I arrived two days ago on a one way ticket and have allocated up to 6 months ! Sure, Im scared, but more of what I have taken on than anything else. I'm settling down fine and am already negotiating renting a house for 4 or 5 months and buying a scooter ( anyone know the going rate for a 'working' Bajaj ? )

It's strange though, the relationship with other 'travellers', I do feel a little isolated when I see groups / couples having a 'great' time and myself on my own. It's how I want it but it's an uneasy feeling in a touristy place like Varkala..

You'll be FINE..

freenote

Nerves ,what nerves .we are only going on a beaching holiday!!!!2 weeks on a beach, lovely.One slight problem,forgot to get a return ticket.Should be able to get a ticket home next month,or next year .Whatever!!!!!
Had everything planned for the first three days and then what happens ,it's Diwali.Oh well,it will sort.
seven days to go
Bom shankar

skell

This is my first time to India and after 4 days in Delhi, all I can say is "WOW!" I love it! Why did I waste so much time worring about it? The people are wonderful, friendly and helpful.

If you've read this forum and know what to expect in the way of scams, then you are fore-warned and well fore-armed. Just say no. If you have questions or need directions, get them from a dis-interested party; a shop-keeper, business man, a woman shopping or a policeman. They have no reason to steer you wrong.

The city is gearing up for Diwali and is in celebration mode already, so there's lots of activity, decorations and lights.

So don't worry, come and have fun.

jgbrowning

Heh, just found out we'll be arriving the night before Diwali. How fortuatious!

joe b.

Shiver me Timbers

I'd like to hear from some of the older members who first travelled back in the 60's and 70's to India - did you share the same fears as more recent travellers to India, or is it the wealth of information available that fans the flames of fear?
Sometimes I think the likes of Lonely Planet actually add to the fear, rather than reassure you. Since there were no guide books back then, or internet, what were your pre-conceived ideas of India?

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cyberhippie

I'm not being glib or sycophantic when I say the members who packed up life for a while and headed for India in the 60s 70s, must have had nerves but jeezus they were brave!!
Their experiences bear no resemblance to the often concocted fears that us as travellers face in todays India!!
Though I'm still interested in an answer to coner's question, how on earth did you allay your "real" fears.
70s Bij, WWUSA and others were you really that brave, stoned, inspired or gung ho that you had no nerves
Or did you just get over them much the same as todays newbie!!
Great Question Conor!!

Ikuru

You Can acctually feel Delhi through your Post dude! Exelent! Gives me goose bums to feel the pressens of Delhi. Have a good one Mate!

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seventies'hippy

Well I can't really remember having any real fears!, I guess we didn't know what might lie ahead to worry about,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The difference between then & now was that we didn't just arrive in India, We all spent weeks even months traveling overland and adjusting as we went.
We'd all travelled across europe one way or another, cheap transport, hitch-hiking, magic bus etc & ended up in Istanbul, that was the first real different place, then it was across Turkey to Iran adjusting all the way as we went, every stage of the journey there was a different country, custom & lifestyle, through Iran to Afghanistan & another different way of life and people, Through the Khyber & down into Pakistan, & then there we were walking over the border into India.
So after all that there wasn't any big culture shock for us like there is for you guys flying in direct from the west,,,,,,,,,

As for my personal trips I never knew when I was going to go back if at all, that was never in my plans, so when the money I'd gone with run out I had to rely on having made good karma whilst I did have some,,,,,,,,,,,, But thats a whole different ball game ha ha, And I'm not going there today ;o)

So to get back to the reply in a nutshell, We went with the flow, adjusted as we went, & travelling overland saved us the big cultural shock,,,,,,,,

Bom Shankar

Shiver me Timbers

Quote:

Originally Posted by seventies'hippy Well I can't really remember having any real fears!, I guess we didn't know what might lie ahead to worry about,,,,,,,,,,,,,, The difference between then & now was that we didn't just arrive in India, We all spent weeks even months traveling overland and adjusting as we went.

My point exactly! I feel knowing TOO much can be a negative thing.

Also, this is one of the reasons I'm planning an overland trip (different to the classic one you've described) - I really want to witness this 'west to east' change gradually, and adjust slowly. I think it will make arriving in India all the more rewarding, and a lot less scary!

bijapuri

I arrived with 81 other 19 year old Amrikis in 1970. We stopped in Japan, HK and BKK on the way. I was shocked by Calcutta. As for aprehension beforehand, I didn't have any. The class before us filled us up with endless stories of how cool the town (!) of Bangalore was, so we were all looking forward to it.

Biggest diff I can see from then to now is that if you don't like it now, you can simply change your tix and leave. Seriously, Fuck it- lots of other places in the world. Why waste time of India's not your cup of cacophany? Get out, and I say that in all respect. You're supposed to be having fun. remember?
I would never try to talk someone into going to Ma India. If someone doesn't have a desire to go there, then it's very unlikely they'll be able to hang. also, there should be a law prohibiting newbies from landing in Delhi. I would do all in my power to steer someone south for their first time.

Meanwhile, I had all sorts of fears and aprehensions this trip, and my first day was pretty terrifying, but today I'm better. I may even try driving! America isn't as bad as I feared Still, I'm gone from BLR 3 days, and am already missing it. Grab a FRESH SALAD, and return, In'shallah!

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