First trip, what to expect

Patricia · Jan 17th, 2006, 23:12

Hey,
I am married w 2 kids (8 & 18), have never traveled outside our province. My husbands co worker has invited us to come and stay at his home in Punjab next year with his family, how generous!!! We don't know if we should, but we can't believe that anyone wouldn't! My husbands co worker has said that they would take care of us, food etc, all we have to pay for is travel etc. What an incredible offer! Any thoughts, or advice?

Judi · Jan 18th, 2006, 17:07

What on earth are you waiting for?????

Chandra · Jan 18th, 2006, 17:17

I second that. Go!!!

C

PRIYA · Jan 18th, 2006, 17:23

Wow, what an offer

!!!! Go for it - I'd be packed already

ddevadatta · Jan 18th, 2006, 17:32

Hi patricia. I lived in Burnaby. Anyways this is a very genuine offer typical of Indian hospitality. Not to take it would create some level of offence, thouygh thye would understand if you are incapable of travel for health, financial or other such reasons.

I do thinbk you should not plan to stay the whole period in their home. Make other plans because you can see and experience more of India that way...

Happy consideration...

SHIMLA · Jan 18th, 2006, 17:38

The offer is indeed fantastic. However, you need to consider the following:

1. Whether you really desire to visit India.

2. Whether you are prepared for a huge culture shock; as you say you've never left your province.

3. The season you'll be travelling in; as Punjab is extremely hot from April to June and extremely cold from December to February.

4. Which city/town/village will you be staying in.

5. Whether you'll be comfortable staying with your husband's co-worker's family.

steven_ber · Jan 18th, 2006, 17:38

I hope you like eating, you'll be eating a lot.

Send me a private message later and I'll try to find some of the posts about my stay with the family of a friend in a village in Gujarat, they didn't even know I was comming yet I ended up staying a week and they wouldn't let me spend a dime. (it looks bad on them if I spend money I beleive)

Sorry, no time to search for the posts at the moment, and I know I'll forget later, hence the PM.

harsha · Jan 18th, 2006, 20:57

thats a wonderful offer...just accept it.....and if you are staying in countryside..its really nice...there are lot of places to see also...golden temple at amritsar, kapurtala palace etc.....

enjoy...

iwanttogoback · Jan 19th, 2006, 07:59

man, i would be packed now!
although you should read shimla's post and think carefully about his points, it will be a huge change from canada.
but what an opportunity...

maggie65 · Jan 19th, 2006, 08:08

i agree with shimla - do you really want to visit India? if the answer is yes go for it. BUT please be ready for the huge jolt that is culture shock. DO some research on India - do not go in "blind" and everthing should be fantastic

Lakshmi Bhabi · Jan 19th, 2006, 08:11

This is an opportunity few get - to see Indian life from the inside. Enjoy!

Sama · Jan 19th, 2006, 09:33

also agree with shimla. if you have never been outside of BC, India is going to rock your world.

on the other hand, if you travel your path with an open mind and an open heart, it can be the most wondrous experience of your life.

Nick-H · Jan 19th, 2006, 10:08

I think you need to find out more about your destination.... it could be anything from a hut to a fully westernised air-conditioned house!!!!

Your husband's cow orker has made the shift from India to Canada: he shouldn't take amiss some gentle enquiries as to the lifestyle there and his thoughts on what it will be like for your family. He can always say things like "wife/daughter is worried about the toilets....."

But you have to start with a positive answer to Shimla's Question Number One ...or else just forget the whole thing.

Patricia · Jan 19th, 2006, 21:45

Yes I would love to visit India, it would be an adventure of a lifetime! My kids are both very accepting of new and different things, and my husband can't stop talking about it.

We had mentioned to Tony (my husbands co worker) that I usually make an Indian dish about once a week, and he offered for me to learn some things from his wife (that you won't learn from internet recipes). Also him and my husband talk about current events, religion and politics very calmly and intelligently, so I am sure he would be open to any questions I might have. Thanks for the advise. Searching the internet has been great for learning about Punjabs culture and people.

Question, my 18 year old daughter is half east indian (her conception was non consensual) anyway...would she be accepted or should we have concerns about her safety?

By the way this is my first time on a posting board and I just can't believe how very helpful people are here, thanks.

exacta · Jan 19th, 2006, 21:56

Sounds like a great opportunity go for it, another example of great India hospitality. And that’s a beautiful part of the country.

Jan 17th, 2006, 23:12	#1
Patricia Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: British Columbia Canada Posts: 3	First trip, what to expect Hey, I am married w 2 kids (8 & 18), have never traveled outside our province. My husbands co worker has invited us to come and stay at his home in Punjab next year with his family, how generous!!! We don't know if we should, but we can't believe that anyone wouldn't! My husbands co worker has said that they would take care of us, food etc, all we have to pay for is travel etc. What an incredible offer! Any thoughts, or advice?

Jan 18th, 2006, 17:07	#2
Judi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: England Posts: 458	What on earth are you waiting for????? __________________ It is better to light a candle than complain about the darkness.

Jan 18th, 2006, 17:23	#4
PRIYA Discombobulated Elsewherean! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: nether regions Posts: 1,125	Wow, what an offer !!!! Go for it - I'd be packed already __________________ Happiness is for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. (Anon.)

Jan 18th, 2006, 17:32	#5
ddevadatta Finger Licking Good Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 907	Hospitality Hi patricia. I lived in Burnaby. Anyways this is a very genuine offer typical of Indian hospitality. Not to take it would create some level of offence, thouygh thye would understand if you are incapable of travel for health, financial or other such reasons. I do thinbk you should not plan to stay the whole period in their home. Make other plans because you can see and experience more of India that way... Happy consideration... __________________ Ayurvedic cure for an Indian headache

Jan 18th, 2006, 17:38	#6
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,125	The offer is indeed fantastic. However, you need to consider the following: 1. Whether you really desire to visit India. 2. Whether you are prepared for a huge culture shock; as you say you've never left your province. 3. The season you'll be travelling in; as Punjab is extremely hot from April to June and extremely cold from December to February. 4. Which city/town/village will you be staying in. 5. Whether you'll be comfortable staying with your husband's co-worker's family. __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Jan 18th, 2006, 17:17	#3
Chandra Compulsive India traveller Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oslo/Trondheim, Norway Posts: 195	I second that. Go!!! C

Jan 18th, 2006, 17:38	#7
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,158	I hope you like eating, you'll be eating a lot. Send me a private message later and I'll try to find some of the posts about my stay with the family of a friend in a village in Gujarat, they didn't even know I was comming yet I ended up staying a week and they wouldn't let me spend a dime. (it looks bad on them if I spend money I beleive) Sorry, no time to search for the posts at the moment, and I know I'll forget later, hence the PM. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

Jan 18th, 2006, 20:57	#8
harsha indianlawyer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: delhi Posts: 17	thats a wonderful offer...just accept it.....and if you are staying in countryside..its really nice...there are lot of places to see also...golden temple at amritsar, kapurtala palace etc..... enjoy...

Jan 19th, 2006, 07:59	#9
iwanttogoback is sorry Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,570	man, i would be packed now! although you should read shimla's post and think carefully about his points, it will be a huge change from canada. but what an opportunity...

Jan 19th, 2006, 08:08	#10
maggie65 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: australia Posts: 18	i agree with shimla - do you really want to visit India? if the answer is yes go for it. BUT please be ready for the huge jolt that is culture shock. DO some research on India - do not go in "blind" and everthing should be fantastic

Jan 19th, 2006, 08:11	#11
Lakshmi Bhabi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 200	This is an opportunity few get - to see Indian life from the inside. Enjoy!

Jan 19th, 2006, 09:33	#12
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,349	also agree with shimla. if you have never been outside of BC, India is going to rock your world. on the other hand, if you travel your path with an open mind and an open heart, it can be the most wondrous experience of your life. __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* BE THE REVOLUTION

Jan 19th, 2006, 10:08	#13
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,771	I think you need to find out more about your destination.... it could be anything from a hut to a fully westernised air-conditioned house!!!! Your husband's cow orker has made the shift from India to Canada: he shouldn't take amiss some gentle enquiries as to the lifestyle there and his thoughts on what it will be like for your family. He can always say things like "wife/daughter is worried about the toilets....." But you have to start with a positive answer to Shimla's Question Number One ...or else just forget the whole thing. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jan 19th, 2006, 21:45	#14
Patricia Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: British Columbia Canada Posts: 3	Yes I would love to visit India, it would be an adventure of a lifetime! My kids are both very accepting of new and different things, and my husband can't stop talking about it. We had mentioned to Tony (my husbands co worker) that I usually make an Indian dish about once a week, and he offered for me to learn some things from his wife (that you won't learn from internet recipes). Also him and my husband talk about current events, religion and politics very calmly and intelligently, so I am sure he would be open to any questions I might have. Thanks for the advise. Searching the internet has been great for learning about Punjabs culture and people. Question, my 18 year old daughter is half east indian (her conception was non consensual) anyway...would she be accepted or should we have concerns about her safety? By the way this is my first time on a posting board and I just can't believe how very helpful people are here, thanks.

Jan 19th, 2006, 21:56	#15
exacta according to my best recollection i don't remember Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: GALAXIES Posts: 78	Just go Sounds like a great opportunity go for it, another example of great India hospitality. And that’s a beautiful part of the country.

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