Another India Newbie!

SCohen · Mar 9th, 2004, 00:41

Hello there - I stumbled onto this forum by chance and have to say that it's the best resource, hands down, that I've discovered so far. Thank you so much for this info!

I'll be leaving for Mumbai in early May for a week and a half (so actually 7 days or so actually in India, subtracting travel time).

I saw a PBS special featuring ashrams and was under the impression that they were everywhere, even in the cities, but that doesn't seem so. So I'll be camping out in somewhere cheap but not too nasty in Mumbai for a few days while I do the touristy things before heading out of town to a nearby village with a whole bunch of them. I'm not going for spiritual enlightenment, but I came into this with the idea of "going native" and getting into the spirit of things.

Is it normal for tourists to walk around in jeans and T-shirt or is it an oddity to see one walking around in the more standard Indian garb? Just curious.

I know it's going to be a challenge, but I'm going to have a good go at it.

Thank you all again!

Sadhu · Mar 9th, 2004, 01:15

Well, you're in for a treat! As for "going native" in an ashram, most likely you'll encounter almost as many westerners as Indians. A lot are actually more popular with westerners, and Indians don't even visit. A lot of ashrams frequented mainly by Indians are not really easy to find, as they are not on the web, and nothing is in English. I'm sure you'll have a good time either way.

As for dress, either way is quite common. You see a lot of western guys in kurta and blue jeans. Indian men tend to wear more western style clothes, while the women tend to dress more traditionally. Indian clothes definitely fit the weather better. Either way, definitely dress for comfort, but avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts. You will only be taken seriously by the touts, and won't be able to get in any temples etc.

Have a great time!

sudheer poppa · Apr 6th, 2004, 22:06

On the hotel option, try to get the recommendation I have made in the hotels listing. Its downright budget at Rs 175 per night. I am planning to visit Mumbai and be back towards 1 May. So I shall try to update the address by then.

But this is an air con dorm and quite basic. But I feel it could be the cheapest for the quality.

SCohen · Apr 30th, 2004, 04:16

Almost there. I'll be heading out on May 8th!!

Heading out to fill my anti-malaria medicine prescription so I can take it starting this Saturday. Just have to get a new backpack and a few more things for a small first aid kit (indigestion medicine) and I'll be SET!

I'm travelling alone, which I enjoy, and my plan is very loose. I'm thinking I'll try the Maria Lodge (recommended by some in this forum) or somewhere nearby. Low budget type of place. Enjoy the city for a bit and see the touristy things in Mumbai. Head out to the countryside for the ashrams and hot springs. Then head back into town and live it up in a more lavish hotel for the remainder of my time while I buy all the souvinirs that I've promised people. Nobody I know is brave enough to go, but they all want something from India. :P

Thank you ALL for the great advice and stories that you've shared. I'm a little nervous but I really do think I'm as prepared as I can ever be for my first trip to India.

Thank you again!

fat freddy's cat · Apr 30th, 2004, 05:07

I'm sure you're gonna have a great time.
Enjoy yourself and the very best of British luck to you!

guerik · Apr 30th, 2004, 07:22

Completely off topic - what's the deal with British luck? Where does that come from?
Is foreign luck somehow inferior? :P

Have a great trip though, SCohen!

rab · Apr 30th, 2004, 08:20

querik,

Put the phrase "best of british luck" into www.google.co.uk and you will get 126 pages of references to its use.

Hey and guess what? If you put the same phrase into www.google.com.au and click "pages from Australia" you still get 25 pages of references!

Are you sure you've not heard the phrase before?

rab · Apr 30th, 2004, 08:26

... and SCohen have a great time - I think you are going with an open mind and all the right attitudes and good intentions. You will be fine. Enjoy the amazing experiences India has in store for you!

rab

bijapuri · Apr 30th, 2004, 12:33

in May you are not likely to get bit by skeeters/mozzies, because in the teeth of the hot season (May) there is no water they can breed in, but if you feel better taking malaria goop, go for it! As far as clothing goes, most Indians seem to wear western shirts and slacks, unless you are in very rural places. Have fun

smida02 · Apr 30th, 2004, 13:07

I figure that if they are going to stare, ask the same five questions, and take my picture anyway, I'm wearing shorts and tee shirts. I've had no trouble getting into temples dressed in shorts. Wear crappy shoes though. You have to take them off to go into temples and people have been known to swipe a nice pair of Nikes.

SCohen · May 10th, 2004, 11:38

Here I am.

It's freaked me out a little, but I'm looking forward to my adventure here.

I'm also blogging (web-logging) my trip at:

http://scott101.typepad.com/blog if anyone's interested in checking that out. I may also post it here at a later date.

Wish me luck!!

freemanx · May 10th, 2004, 13:41

all the best to you SCohen

guerik · May 10th, 2004, 13:54

Have a great trip, look forward to reading more of your travelog - if I can't be there it's the next best thing!
(that and indiamike, that is...)

seventies'hippy · May 10th, 2004, 13:55

Have a Great Trip SCohen,
We're all with you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

guerik · May 10th, 2004, 14:43

Or at least wishing we were... *sigh*

Mar 9th, 2004, 00:41	#1
SCohen Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA Posts: 11	Another India Newbie! Hello there - I stumbled onto this forum by chance and have to say that it's the best resource, hands down, that I've discovered so far. Thank you so much for this info! I'll be leaving for Mumbai in early May for a week and a half (so actually 7 days or so actually in India, subtracting travel time). I saw a PBS special featuring ashrams and was under the impression that they were everywhere, even in the cities, but that doesn't seem so. So I'll be camping out in somewhere cheap but not too nasty in Mumbai for a few days while I do the touristy things before heading out of town to a nearby village with a whole bunch of them. I'm not going for spiritual enlightenment, but I came into this with the idea of "going native" and getting into the spirit of things. Is it normal for tourists to walk around in jeans and T-shirt or is it an oddity to see one walking around in the more standard Indian garb? Just curious. I know it's going to be a challenge, but I'm going to have a good go at it. Thank you all again!

Mar 9th, 2004, 01:15	#2
Sadhu The Baron Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: ABQ, NM Posts: 209	Well, you're in for a treat! As for "going native" in an ashram, most likely you'll encounter almost as many westerners as Indians. A lot are actually more popular with westerners, and Indians don't even visit. A lot of ashrams frequented mainly by Indians are not really easy to find, as they are not on the web, and nothing is in English. I'm sure you'll have a good time either way. As for dress, either way is quite common. You see a lot of western guys in kurta and blue jeans. Indian men tend to wear more western style clothes, while the women tend to dress more traditionally. Indian clothes definitely fit the weather better. Either way, definitely dress for comfort, but avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts. You will only be taken seriously by the touts, and won't be able to get in any temples etc. Have a great time! __________________ 'Walk the Earth, Have Adventures'

Apr 6th, 2004, 22:06	#3
sudheer poppa Senior brick in the wall Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pole Posts: 1,475	On the hotel option, try to get the recommendation I have made in the hotels listing. Its downright budget at Rs 175 per night. I am planning to visit Mumbai and be back towards 1 May. So I shall try to update the address by then. But this is an air con dorm and quite basic. But I feel it could be the cheapest for the quality. __________________ We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools - MLK Pic Page 1 Pic Page 2 When my life changed over a week

Apr 30th, 2004, 12:33	#9
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,601	in May you are not likely to get bit by skeeters/mozzies, because in the teeth of the hot season (May) there is no water they can breed in, but if you feel better taking malaria goop, go for it! As far as clothing goes, most Indians seem to wear western shirts and slacks, unless you are in very rural places. Have fun __________________ Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. Barack Obama lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

May 10th, 2004, 13:55	#14
seventies'hippy Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,127	Have a Great Trip SCohen, We're all with you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, __________________ . . . My Photo Gallery

Apr 30th, 2004, 04:16	#4
SCohen Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA Posts: 11	Almost there. I'll be heading out on May 8th!! Heading out to fill my anti-malaria medicine prescription so I can take it starting this Saturday. Just have to get a new backpack and a few more things for a small first aid kit (indigestion medicine) and I'll be SET! I'm travelling alone, which I enjoy, and my plan is very loose. I'm thinking I'll try the Maria Lodge (recommended by some in this forum) or somewhere nearby. Low budget type of place. Enjoy the city for a bit and see the touristy things in Mumbai. Head out to the countryside for the ashrams and hot springs. Then head back into town and live it up in a more lavish hotel for the remainder of my time while I buy all the souvinirs that I've promised people. Nobody I know is brave enough to go, but they all want something from India. :P Thank you ALL for the great advice and stories that you've shared. I'm a little nervous but I really do think I'm as prepared as I can ever be for my first trip to India. Thank you again!

Apr 30th, 2004, 05:07	#5
fat freddy's cat Miaowing Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: uk Posts: 197	I'm sure you're gonna have a great time. Enjoy yourself and the very best of British luck to you!

Apr 30th, 2004, 07:22	#6
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Completely off topic - what's the deal with British luck? Where does that come from? Is foreign luck somehow inferior? :P Have a great trip though, SCohen!

Apr 30th, 2004, 08:20	#7
rab Honorary Mod Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: McLaren Vale, South Australia Posts: 1,216	querik, Put the phrase "best of british luck" into www.google.co.uk and you will get 126 pages of references to its use. Hey and guess what? If you put the same phrase into www.google.com.au and click "pages from Australia" you still get 25 pages of references! Are you sure you've not heard the phrase before?

Apr 30th, 2004, 08:26	#8
rab Honorary Mod Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: McLaren Vale, South Australia Posts: 1,216	... and SCohen have a great time - I think you are going with an open mind and all the right attitudes and good intentions. You will be fine. Enjoy the amazing experiences India has in store for you! rab

Apr 30th, 2004, 13:07	#10
smida02 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 78	I figure that if they are going to stare, ask the same five questions, and take my picture anyway, I'm wearing shorts and tee shirts. I've had no trouble getting into temples dressed in shorts. Wear crappy shoes though. You have to take them off to go into temples and people have been known to swipe a nice pair of Nikes.

May 10th, 2004, 11:38	#11
SCohen Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA Posts: 11	Here I am. It's freaked me out a little, but I'm looking forward to my adventure here. I'm also blogging (web-logging) my trip at: http://scott101.typepad.com/blog if anyone's interested in checking that out. I may also post it here at a later date. Wish me luck!!

May 10th, 2004, 13:41	#12
freemanx Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: somewhere Posts: 432	all the best to you SCohen

May 10th, 2004, 13:54	#13
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Have a great trip, look forward to reading more of your travelog - if I can't be there it's the next best thing! (that and indiamike, that is...)

May 10th, 2004, 14:43	#15
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Or at least wishing we were... sigh

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