Another India Virgin!

Hello everybody. I'm James, 31, living near London. This is my first post. I have been reading the forums for a few weeks and must say that I think this site is probably the most valuable source of information for people going to India. My only complaint would be there's too much information to take in!

Anyway, like many others on this thread, I will shortly be packing in my job and heading off to India for the first time. I will be spending approx 3.5 months there travelling and following the England cricket team's crazy zig-zagging tour around the country before continuing my on travels around Asia and ending up in Australia to watch England retain the Ashes next November!

I was very interested in a recent thread about WHY exactly people go to India. My father died in Jan 2004. At lunchtime on my first day back at work I decided to go and visit my Mum because I was really struggling to cope. I kind of broke down and said to her something like "I really can't be arsed with this. I just want to go to India!".

God knows why I said it. I'd never really had a desire to go. I do love really hot curries though!

Anyway - having saved up for a couple of years and found an excellent reason (cricket!) I will on Feb 6th (almost 2 years exactly since that fateful day!) board a flight from Heathrow to Dehli. I can't bloody wait!

I've heard a few scary stories about what happens when you arrive in Dehli. All the usual scams. So I've booked my first nights accomodation at the Clark International (anyone been?) and a taxi there. Hopefully as soon as I walk out there will be a nice friendly chap with a sign with my name on it! I won't be holding my breath though!

So I'm thinking of what to do when I arrive. I'll get there around midday so might have a kip then walk to Connaught Place or something. However I'm a bit scared about being accosted by beggars/rickshaw drivers/shopkeepers every 5 yards. Not scared physically but more in terms of how to behave. Do I give money to beggars? Or do I kick them?! only joking but I keep hearing different bits of advice. Do I shout at the rickshaw drivers and tell them to F*ck off or just ignore them?

So I'm very tempted to get straight out of there and head somewhere a bit more civilised like Goa so I can just chill out on a beach for a few days, acclimatise and plan my next steps (probably Kerala & Andamans). I can then return to Dehli when I'm ready.

Good idea? Bad idea? What would you do if you were in my shoes?!!

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers,
James

Welcome to IM.

Don't worry, If you are 'living near London' you are never far from India

You can't hardly go anywheres nowadays without bumping into the damn cricket groupies

Welcome,

My reason for going India was pretty much the same as yours. Its somewhere my dad always wanted to go and said he would take me but never got round to it... Than man would do anything to save himself some money .

I found the airport pickup was pretty reliable, so rest assure on that front... regarding "beggars/rickshaw drivers/shopkeepers", I don't know about other major cities in India but in Delhi, it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be... I find just not reacting to voices works for me. I ignored them or just smiled and carried on. I wouldn't give to beggars on the street, I find once you give to one then you get surrounded by a bunch of them and it all ends in a mess. I preferred giving money to mosques or temples that feed the poor.

I'm sure you'll be fine James, it's just the fear of the unexpected. Regarding the cricket... looks like England are going to buckle under the pressure in Pakistan, I wouldnt hold out much hope for another ashes win

Thanks for making me feel at home! MeCasaEsSuCasa indeed!

Beach - thanks. Found your train guide very useful.

And thanks for the advice Beena.

I hang out with ruffians, if nobodies laughing and bustin' my stones Then I ain't home

Besides, I live in the states, cricket season finished already ;-)

Jus kiidin', it's one of those days I just can't help myself, hehehe

Lots of luck with your trip

No worries! No offence taken. Just thought it was funny considering your nickname!

I was actually quite excited at the prospect of bumping into some cricket groupies - didn't know they existed til now!

Ohhh yes they certainly do - they certainly do --- on both sides of the boundary rope I might add