Our Family In India

torquey2000 · Jun 28th, 2007, 17:53

We had a trip to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Jaipur in April with our 3 kids aged 16,14 and 10. It was all we expected, both goods and bads (and more!) I spent a great deal of time planning because I knew it would be so hot (40 degrees every day)Best tips:

1. The overnight trains were great, (1st class),a really good way to see life passing by, especially on the stations platforms waiting for trains. Kids loved them
2. Don't try to see everything. Pick a few things each place and be happy with that. Everything seems to take so much effort (negotiating transport, shopping, meals etc) that it is easy to become overwhelmed and not enjoy anything
3. Travel light. We had 1 big backpack and 3 day packs between the 5 of us and it was so easy keeping track of our stuff and carrying it around
4. I made sure that our accommodation got better as the time went on. This was a great strategic move and helped us cope with some of the more difficult aspects of travelling around. We had a mixture of overnight trains, some simple but clean hotels and a few 5 star nights.
5. If you engage in conversation with anyone who approaches you with offers of assistance (unsolicited), you can be sure you will be expected to go look at their brother's shop. It is a moral obligation and they don't understand why we don't agree and we don't understand that it is just the cultural norm. We were unceasingly frustrated by this pressure.
6. Just close your eyes when travelling on the roads. There is nothing you can do about it and looking will give you a stress ulcer
7. Notice how beautiful the women are, even in poverty. They always looked clean and colorful. We always felt dirty, sweaty and plain.

We had a great trip. It was not easy, not relaxing and I don't know if I would go back for seconds but it was the most amazing experience as a family. Our kids amazed us with their insights and good humor and watching them look out for each other and shelter their sister from unwanted attention was fabulous. We all enjoyed the things we saw and were glad we went

AdrianU · Jun 29th, 2007, 02:26

I have been to Thailand and to Morocco within the last year. In terms of poverty and touts/beggars, would you guys think that India is on par with those locations?

machadinha · Jun 29th, 2007, 04:14

I don't know about Morocco, I hear touts there can be pretty bad.

Thailand I found almost boringly organized compared to India. Nice place though, just very different. Not much touting and begging going on at all that I noticed. Trying to haggle over a rickshaw ride you'd often get the impression the driver would just begrudgingly play along because it's what tourists like to do. Sort of like Yawn, OK have it your way, keep the 2 lousy Baht

gertie · Jun 29th, 2007, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdrianU

I have been to Thailand and to Morocco within the last year. In terms of poverty and touts/beggars, would you guys think that India is on par with those locations?

Touts in some parts India are far worse than those I've experienced in Thailand or Morocco. They have an amazing capacity for persistence, especially in the tourist areas - Agra and Jaipur being two of my worst experiences. My advice is to learn some Hindi (or *insert appropriate language here*) for 'bugger off' - it gets you a laugh and can relax a fraught situation.
In Morocco I had more marriage proposals than anything else!

AdrianU · Jun 29th, 2007, 09:23

Well, that's good to know. I will definitely be learning some Hindi in that respect. I have no problem saying no or just ignoring them, my wife is way too nice though. I'll have to work on her.

shashank.aggarwal · Jun 29th, 2007, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdrianU

Well, that's good to know. I will definitely be learning some Hindi in that respect. I have no problem saying no or just ignoring them, my wife is way too nice though. I'll have to work on her.

OMG..make sure that they (touts) dont even realize her 'weakness'..or you are in for a trouble..

steven_ber · Jun 29th, 2007, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by torquey2000

Our Family In India

Great post torquey, the accomodation idea is wonderful.

I completely agree with Mach about Thailand/India, they are 2 completely different places, and 2 completely different holidays, I also find Thailand "boringly organized compared to India", but because I'll be taking my baby (and GF) on my next holiday, it will be to Thailand.

The poverty in India is far worse than in Thailand, and before anyone tells me that I've only seen the tourist side of Thailand, I stayed in 2 villages for 9 and 4 days, and I 'lived' with a group of homeless 'no holds barred' kick boxers for about 3 weeks. (dont ask, long story)

torquey2000 · Jun 29th, 2007, 17:29

I definitely agree with Gertie about the touts in Agra. I have a very patient, gentle husband and for the first time in 20 years I saw him lose his temper and be quite rude! Our 10 year son, on the other hand thought it was all a great joke and, having been followed for 10 minutes by a tout trying to sell him a tacky little platic snow cone of the Taj Mahal for an absurd amount, actually managed to get the tout to give it to him for free!! It sits in proudly on the mantlepiece alongside all our more attractive and valuable souvenirs.
I think we may have been hassled more than usual because we were the only tourists we saw in some spots. It was certainly not peak tourist time and some of the touts seemed quite desperate. We were the only family we saw in all our time in India and as such seemed to draw a lot of attention

Nick-H · Jun 29th, 2007, 17:54

I learnt a valuable lesson last week.

As I saw the hungry, almost desperate, look in the eyes of a Kashmiri salesman outside his Spencer Plaza shop, I realised why women get so damned irritated when the fiftieth man that day looks at them with that tongue-out expression!

Might even change my ways....

Rogue Rose · Jun 29th, 2007, 19:48

Hi torquey2000

Thanks for your travel post.
It's great to hear that "it was the most amazing experience as a family"
I will be travelling around india with my 13yo son, sep-dec.
And we are very excited about sharing the adventure together.
So to hear that others take the leap with the kids (not 1 or 2)is great.

Ps there must be something in the water or lack of it, that makes melbournians alittle crazyer then the rest

Rose

dhans · Jun 29th, 2007, 22:06

Thanks Torquey,

Loved the accomodation tip: I will put it in the next version of trips with kids.

Hans

machadinha · Jun 30th, 2007, 04:22

Yes, bottom line maybe: Thailand and such places will do little to prepare you for India. Friends of mine traveling extensively in Asia tell me they always have that deep-gulp moment landing in e.g. Kolkata (arguably not the easiest place to land). Hell, some Indians tell me they have a deep-gulp moment returning after an extensive leave...!

That's not to say it's bad, it's just, well, a very unique place I guess.

AdrianU · Jun 30th, 2007, 06:45

All the posts make me anxious (in a good way) to finally get there. I have no problem rolling with the punches and taking it all with a laugh, I just hope my wife does the same. I really want her to enjoy it, so I turn to you guys for some words of preparation/inspiration to help me get her ready.

steven_ber · Jun 30th, 2007, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdrianU

I just hope my wife does the same. I really want her to enjoy it, so I turn to you guys for some words of preparation/inspiration to help me get her ready.

Sounds like a good idea for a new thread Adrian, 'How to make sure my reluctant partner enjoys India'

I can think of a lot of advice to offer, but would prefer to add it to a new thread as the info will quickly get lost in this thread.

AdrianU · Jul 1st, 2007, 14:08

I believe since I am new, I am not able to start a new thread, but anyone please feel free to do so. People like me would greatly appreciate it.
Seeing my wife in amazement when traveling just doubles the joy I feel in seeing new places

Jun 28th, 2007, 17:53	#1
torquey2000 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 11	Our Family In India We had a trip to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Jaipur in April with our 3 kids aged 16,14 and 10. It was all we expected, both goods and bads (and more!) I spent a great deal of time planning because I knew it would be so hot (40 degrees every day)Best tips: 1. The overnight trains were great, (1st class),a really good way to see life passing by, especially on the stations platforms waiting for trains. Kids loved them 2. Don't try to see everything. Pick a few things each place and be happy with that. Everything seems to take so much effort (negotiating transport, shopping, meals etc) that it is easy to become overwhelmed and not enjoy anything 3. Travel light. We had 1 big backpack and 3 day packs between the 5 of us and it was so easy keeping track of our stuff and carrying it around 4. I made sure that our accommodation got better as the time went on. This was a great strategic move and helped us cope with some of the more difficult aspects of travelling around. We had a mixture of overnight trains, some simple but clean hotels and a few 5 star nights. 5. If you engage in conversation with anyone who approaches you with offers of assistance (unsolicited), you can be sure you will be expected to go look at their brother's shop. It is a moral obligation and they don't understand why we don't agree and we don't understand that it is just the cultural norm. We were unceasingly frustrated by this pressure. 6. Just close your eyes when travelling on the roads. There is nothing you can do about it and looking will give you a stress ulcer 7. Notice how beautiful the women are, even in poverty. They always looked clean and colorful. We always felt dirty, sweaty and plain. We had a great trip. It was not easy, not relaxing and I don't know if I would go back for seconds but it was the most amazing experience as a family. Our kids amazed us with their insights and good humor and watching them look out for each other and shelter their sister from unwanted attention was fabulous. We all enjoyed the things we saw and were glad we went

Jun 29th, 2007, 02:26	#2
AdrianU Soon to be India bound Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miramar, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 21	I have been to Thailand and to Morocco within the last year. In terms of poverty and touts/beggars, would you guys think that India is on par with those locations? __________________ Be a traveler!!!

Jun 29th, 2007, 04:14	#3
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,505	I don't know about Morocco, I hear touts there can be pretty bad. Thailand I found almost boringly organized compared to India. Nice place though, just very different. Not much touting and begging going on at all that I noticed. Trying to haggle over a rickshaw ride you'd often get the impression the driver would just begrudgingly play along because it's what tourists like to do. Sort of like Yawn, OK have it your way, keep the 2 lousy Baht __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jun 29th, 2007, 09:23	#5
AdrianU Soon to be India bound Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miramar, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 21	Thanks for the reply Well, that's good to know. I will definitely be learning some Hindi in that respect. I have no problem saying no or just ignoring them, my wife is way too nice though. I'll have to work on her.

Jun 29th, 2007, 17:54	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,747	I learnt a valuable lesson last week. As I saw the hungry, almost desperate, look in the eyes of a Kashmiri salesman outside his Spencer Plaza shop, I realised why women get so damned irritated when the fiftieth man that day looks at them with that tongue-out expression! Might even change my ways.... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jun 29th, 2007, 17:29	#8
torquey2000 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 11	I definitely agree with Gertie about the touts in Agra. I have a very patient, gentle husband and for the first time in 20 years I saw him lose his temper and be quite rude! Our 10 year son, on the other hand thought it was all a great joke and, having been followed for 10 minutes by a tout trying to sell him a tacky little platic snow cone of the Taj Mahal for an absurd amount, actually managed to get the tout to give it to him for free!! It sits in proudly on the mantlepiece alongside all our more attractive and valuable souvenirs. I think we may have been hassled more than usual because we were the only tourists we saw in some spots. It was certainly not peak tourist time and some of the touts seemed quite desperate. We were the only family we saw in all our time in India and as such seemed to draw a lot of attention

Jun 29th, 2007, 19:48	#10
Rogue Rose Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7	Hi torquey2000 Thanks for your travel post. It's great to hear that "it was the most amazing experience as a family" I will be travelling around india with my 13yo son, sep-dec. And we are very excited about sharing the adventure together. So to hear that others take the leap with the kids (not 1 or 2)is great. Ps there must be something in the water or lack of it, that makes melbournians alittle crazyer then the rest Rose

Jun 29th, 2007, 22:06	#11
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,533	Thanks Torquey, Loved the accomodation tip: I will put it in the next version of trips with kids. Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Jun 30th, 2007, 04:22	#12
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,505	Yes, bottom line maybe: Thailand and such places will do little to prepare you for India. Friends of mine traveling extensively in Asia tell me they always have that deep-gulp moment landing in e.g. Kolkata (arguably not the easiest place to land). Hell, some Indians tell me they have a deep-gulp moment returning after an extensive leave...! That's not to say it's bad, it's just, well, a very unique place I guess.

Jun 30th, 2007, 06:45	#13
AdrianU Soon to be India bound Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miramar, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 21	All the posts make me anxious (in a good way) to finally get there. I have no problem rolling with the punches and taking it all with a laugh, I just hope my wife does the same. I really want her to enjoy it, so I turn to you guys for some words of preparation/inspiration to help me get her ready.

Jul 1st, 2007, 14:08	#15
AdrianU Soon to be India bound Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miramar, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 21	I believe since I am new, I am not able to start a new thread, but anyone please feel free to do so. People like me would greatly appreciate it. Seeing my wife in amazement when traveling just doubles the joy I feel in seeing new places

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