An American in Pune

meganh007

Hi!

I've been lurking around IndiaMike for a few days now, and I've finally decided to ask a few questions.

Starting Aug 15, I'll be in Pune, India for a semester abroad. My program starts shortly after I arrive and ends on Dec 5, then I have a few more weeks planned in for travel in India.

I'll be staying with a homestay family for several months, and my program directors suggested bringing a gift. They had no real suggestions for gifts, however, and I was wondering what might make for a successful gift. Unfortunately, I don't really know what my family will be like (kids or no), so this is kind of a crap shoot.

Also, along with the two weeks I have planned for travel in December, I have about a week in October. Where might be some good travel destinations that I could do with friends for about a week from Pune? I think during the semester we will have a chance to visit the surrounding caves and such, so I'm thinking of going a little bit further - Goa?

Also, how much is too much for a first-time traveler in India? I will only have 2 weeks after my program ends and I want to see as much as possible (probably via train - student budget). I read somewhere that it would be possible to try and see parts of Calcutta, Darjeeling, Varanasi, Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai (maybe with a side trip to Kathmandu?). Would this be too much with train travel thrown in?

Thanks for all your advice!

roopeeman

If you like train rides, go to Kolkata, then Varanasi etc., without Kathmandu.
Goa is one overnight busride away, so that could be done on a weekend(3-4days). Don't worry about a gift, bring something from where you come from, doesn't have to be costly, maybe sth for the kids to play with.
Once in Pune, there is a famous sweets shop in the old city. someone knows the name here I am shure. Take cab there first.

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edwardseco

Has been covered in some lengthy posts. I would take something that was representative of my country. The tricky thing is that Amrika doesn't make anything but food these days & that raises a host of issues (no Omaha steaks). Now, if you are flying in good chocolates always go down well..

DrHeckleAndMrSnide

Not so good not-so-chocolatey chocolates (Snickers, Mars etc) go down really well too..... strange since all these are available in India as well (and a Snickers bar would cost Rs 30 here, i.e. approx 55 cents, so I would think it would work out cheaper actually to just buy them from a local supermarket and pretend you bought them in the US than to pay for any excess baggage for shipping them), but it is expected that you get some candy when you come from abroad. In fact, in many IT companies, it is expected that when a colleague returns from an onsite trip, he/she is expected to unload at least a bag or two of these chocolates in the office amongst colleagues..... and there's what appears like a shark feeding frenzy when the pack is opened ...

Kitschy stuff from Walmart seems to be quite a hit as well... small kitchen appliances like choppers,peelers etc. My sister sometimes gets stuff like Febreze or Swiffer Dusters to gift to some aunts in India and they appreciate it. Small gifts like those from Bath & Body Works or J.C. Penney could be an idea.

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new_traveller

I guess you already got some great suggestions. So a pack of some chocolates and a small momento by whihc you would be remembered even after you finish the course and leave the family.

As far as travelling - 2 weeks would be too less to try to capture all the corners of the country.
I am sure your thoughts on what you want to explore will evolve during your stay. You could choose soemthing and start planning for interesting places.

Have a wonderful stay.

namaste_cat

I think that's too rushed. Goa you could do during your week in Oct.

In Dec, I'd do Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Bombay or switch Jaipur and Agra in terms of sequencing. You could maybe squeeze in Varanasi, but I'd forget about Calcutta, Darjeeling (which will take you the better part of 2 days just going and coming back) & Kathmandu. If you do Calcutta, Darjeeling, & Kathmandu then the Delhi & surrounding legs not doable at least not in a meaningful way.

Hope you have a great stay in Pune. Nice town, and lovely people there.

meganh007

Thanks for all of your advice! The only reason I would be worried about chocolate is because I am flying in, but I'll be staying in a hotel (no clue about AC at this point, but my guess is no) for about 3 weeks before moving in with my family. But I like the idea of some other things.

As for the travel - I mostly wanted to put Calcutta in because I have a friend who lives near there and offered to put me up for free for a night or two, and then while I'm that far East it seemed like I should go ahead and throw in Darjeeling, but you're absolutely right, I wouldn't want it to be too rushed. It's hard knowing 5 or so Indians willing to give me places to stay when they're living all over the country!

edwardseco

3 weeks in August would do in the chocolate. I would offer a refuge if I was there. But, I couldn't be trusted around chocolate so. Keep in mind travel in India eats a ton of time. Calcutta isn't the biggest tourist destination. 'Course I might be biased since I have relations there..

palerider

I bought some of those wind up no batteries torches last time. A big help when you need the toilet and it's down a cravass in Himanchal pradesh.
Sweets are always a hit, always. Anything sweet is good, people seem to be mad for this white pumpkin soaked in sugar syrup. It's very strange, but they're mad for it.
You can buy it at any half decent sweet shop.
And if you're in Pune, a trip to Mumbai is mandatory.
A lot to see, there's a zoo, and India Gate, and the markets, and the beach, all good fun.

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edwardseco

From Pune its easy to take in as weekend trips Ajant, Ellora, Lonavala,& Elephanta, etc..

Jarnail25

Hey MeganH007 !! I am a canadian male 25 yrs old and half caucasion half east indian travelling to india for the first time! I'm pretty nervous and excited at the same time. My dad and his relative are living in pune and i think its awesome that your going there. I'm not coming till October 09 but I think it would be awesome to meet up and see a few places in pune together. Or even go on a week travel in your week off. Ill be headed North towards Jaipur, Agra and a few other places in midd October. Drop me a line and let me know what you think

Jarnail25

hey meghan. message me when your all settled in pune

Epicure

what might make for a successful gift.


You can bring american chocolates or sweets.



I will only have 2 weeks after my program ends and I want to see as much as possible (probably via train - student budget).


From Pune, you can go to Goa either by bus (overnight journey) or by train (H.Nizamuddin-Goa Express,over night journey). You can also reach to other destinations like Kolkata,Darjeeling,Varanasi by train but it will take minimum 36 hours from Pune. Since you are on student budget,avoid Nepal as it might turn out to be expensive

sidtim

Hi Megan,
I wish u all the best for your trip to India.. if this is your first time... u will definitely need it

I think you can do Goa and Mumbai and also the Konkan coast (Ganapathipule etc) on the weekends. Mumbai-Delhi and Mumbai-Kolkata flights cost arnd 6000 rupees which is abt $300 which if u opted for, u could squeez into ur week long holiday... the rest u can do by train...

personally i would sufggest u to drop calcutta - it is too far n not worth it...i would not recommend u going thr even if u had the time (i might be biased)
Instead go to kochin and explore kerela with its backwaters and tea plantations during the week in oct.
Do not miss delhi jaipur and agra... add jaisalmer if u can...
hope u have a wonderful time...
btw i am also moving to pune on aug 10th..

fordfirestone

Really depends on what you like - if you really like History - i would say that a trip to New Delhi is an absolute must. The only reason I say this is that I am Indian and yet every time I go to Delhi, I am absolutely overwhelmed with the history!

Once you do Delhi- Agra & Jaipur will be automatically covered. In fact, you can even do Kathmandu - as it is a short flight from New Delhi.

You can cover Mumbai over two weekends - it's a brilliant city. Absolutely frenetic and full of life! And it's only a three hour drive from Pune.

Goa you can easily manage during the month of October. I hope you have a great time here in Pune! I am a native of South India but in the one year i have been in Pune, I have really come to love this city!

Have fun!

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