I'm not going there again,,,,,,,,

inca · Dec 9th, 2004, 08:27

bombay madras hot and humid

bijapuri · Dec 9th, 2004, 10:37

"Never going there again" has a way of changing as one's involvement with India progresses. Now that I work there, I go all the time to places that I have absolutely no interest in as a sightseer. However, I find that my involvement completely changes my relationship with said place. It's one thing to sit on MG Rd. sipping expresso and wondering why anyone comes to Bangalore, as there's nothing to see there, and another to be working and come there to meet friends or shop.

Sahibcol · Dec 9th, 2004, 11:28

Having read some of the previous comments, I feel I should at least put in a good word or two about Ahmedabad. OK, the noise and pollution are atrocious, but scratch beneath the surface and you can uncover numerous hidden gems.
I would particularly recommend the Heritage Walk, which provides a fascinating glimpse of the old city.
Contrary to popular belief, the inhabitants are not rock-throwing heathens, but on the whole friendly and unfailingly courteous.
Certainly worth at least a couple of days exploration.

Baldy · Dec 9th, 2004, 12:00

amhedabad also off tourist path and tout-free ... people were friendly yes ...

sadhuji · Dec 9th, 2004, 15:57

likes and dislikes are dependant on ones interpretation - we all have our preferences. just because someone does not like some place does not necessarily mean that i share his views. he may have a genuine reason for his opinion, i will have to experience the same to form my opinion. after all, all places are beautiful to the eyes of the beholder!!

goatfarmer · Dec 16th, 2004, 21:33

Places of dislike: Kotah and Gwalior stand out as being charmless.

Degolasse · Jan 3rd, 2005, 00:53

Amristar - I was hassled more there then any other town in India. Of course the Golden Temple was beautiful and worth going to, but I'll never go back.

skell · Jan 3rd, 2005, 02:43

Now that I've seen the fabulous Sri Meenakshi Temple, I'd probably pass on visiting Madurai again. But I could be wrong....

Sharonov · Jan 3rd, 2005, 02:59

Well, I'm thoroughly depressed. We leave on the 12th for 5 weeks in Rajasthan, and most of the cities we're planning to visit have been named as places no-one wants to return to. Originally we were going to travel more around the country, but this site convinced us to limit our travel to one area, and--since we both hate heat and high humidity and aren't beach people--Rajasthan seemed the best place to concentrate our trip. Now I am less than enthusiastic, and it's too late to change our hotel bookings! Oh no, Jaipur is really that bad? Merde.

skell · Jan 3rd, 2005, 03:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharonov

Well, I'm thoroughly depressed. We leave on the 12th for 5 weeks in Rajasthan, and most of the cities we're planning to visit have been named as places no-one wants to return to. Originally we were going to travel more around the country, but this site convinced us to limit our travel to one area, and--since we both hate heat and high humidity and aren't beach people--Rajasthan seemed the best place to concentrate our trip. Now I am less than enthusiastic, and it's too late to change our hotel bookings! Oh no, Jaipur is really that bad? Merde.

Don't worry, you'd find the same list on people's favorite places in India! You're going to love it!!

Sharonov · Jan 3rd, 2005, 05:20

Your message cheered me (a little.) We're expecting the constant assault by touts, but is it worse than Peru, Egypt or Turkey? We've done a lot of third world traveling and are hoping that India is similar and not worse. If we wanted to be left alone and have nothing but cleanliness and middle class surroundings, we'd be going to Sweden (snore.)

skell · Jan 3rd, 2005, 08:52

I personally think that India is better than some other countries in that regard (I don't want to be too specific and offend anyone) because of the genuine friendliness of the people. Don't worry.

Sharonov · Jan 3rd, 2005, 10:14

I just realized I might have offended people from Sweden when I snored at the thought of traveling there. I'm sorry! Sweden is a beautiful country, and since my maiden name is Holmstrom, when I was there many years ago people were especially nice to me. Actually, they were just nice, period, and I especially enjoyed the beauty of the area above the arctic circle. It's just that I've gotten to the point that I prefer visiting a country where the culture is completely different, and Sweden is too much like midwest America to qualify in that category.

lyndy · Jan 3rd, 2005, 10:19

Hi there Sharonov. Do not worry!

Even Agra is not as bad as everyone makes out! And Jaipur is fabulous for shopping. If you are lucky enough to be staying at JasVilas in Jaipur, the wonderful host, Mahendra & his son, Karan are great sources of information. They recommended a couple of shops to us and after giving the great gifts we bought back from these establishments, to our family and friends & using the gorgeous quilt I bought- I am planning my next trip to Jaipur right this minute!

Rajasthan is fabulous and India is inspiring and if you are intelligient, brave and decide to look for the positives (rather than negatives) in each encounter & experience you have, then you will love it! Turn up your scam radar and think before you speak. These guys hear everything and are smart as shit-house rats!

We laughed and laughed about the continual attempted rip-offs. e.g a guy ripped a 100 rupee note, told us he would not accept a damaged note, so we would have to open our wallet and select another note, hopefully a larger value one. He tried to look inside my husband's wallet and his friends discussed how they could locate larger notes on my husband's body instead of the smaller ones in his wallet. All this is to confuse you about what value note you gave him so he can short change you!!

There are scammers everywhere but they're also in New York! The countries you mentioned are comparable to India for tricksters, pickpockets etc. You'll do fine. Keep your wits about you. It is tiring but fun! Just enjoy the food, sights, people. Jaipur is one of my favourite places. Far more enjoyable & less polluted than bloody Lima and far smaller and easier to travel around. Have fun!

mr pastry · Jan 3rd, 2005, 21:56

In no particular order:

Trichy - one day there was too long
Mysore - The palace here must be the biggest rip-off in India and don't even ask me about the Green Hotel

Haridwar - interesting enough by the Ganges but the town is sh**e.
Ernakulam - why would anyone want to spend their holiday in the Indian equivalent of Tilbury

Dec 9th, 2004, 10:37	#77
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,598	"Never going there again" has a way of changing as one's involvement with India progresses. Now that I work there, I go all the time to places that I have absolutely no interest in as a sightseer. However, I find that my involvement completely changes my relationship with said place. It's one thing to sit on MG Rd. sipping expresso and wondering why anyone comes to Bangalore, as there's nothing to see there, and another to be working and come there to meet friends or shop. __________________ 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

Jan 3rd, 2005, 02:59	#84
Sharonov Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Chicago, Il Posts: 60	Thanks A lot Well, I'm thoroughly depressed. We leave on the 12th for 5 weeks in Rajasthan, and most of the cities we're planning to visit have been named as places no-one wants to return to. Originally we were going to travel more around the country, but this site convinced us to limit our travel to one area, and--since we both hate heat and high humidity and aren't beach people--Rajasthan seemed the best place to concentrate our trip. Now I am less than enthusiastic, and it's too late to change our hotel bookings! Oh no, Jaipur is really that bad? Merde.

Jan 3rd, 2005, 05:20	#86
Sharonov Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Chicago, Il Posts: 60	Thanks, Skell Your message cheered me (a little.) We're expecting the constant assault by touts, but is it worse than Peru, Egypt or Turkey? We've done a lot of third world traveling and are hoping that India is similar and not worse. If we wanted to be left alone and have nothing but cleanliness and middle class surroundings, we'd be going to Sweden (snore.)

Jan 3rd, 2005, 10:19	#89
lyndy (Insubordinate) Sub-junior member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 289	Jaipur is a magic city if you love shopping! Hi there Sharonov. Do not worry! Even Agra is not as bad as everyone makes out! And Jaipur is fabulous for shopping. If you are lucky enough to be staying at JasVilas in Jaipur, the wonderful host, Mahendra & his son, Karan are great sources of information. They recommended a couple of shops to us and after giving the great gifts we bought back from these establishments, to our family and friends & using the gorgeous quilt I bought- I am planning my next trip to Jaipur right this minute! Rajasthan is fabulous and India is inspiring and if you are intelligient, brave and decide to look for the positives (rather than negatives) in each encounter & experience you have, then you will love it! Turn up your scam radar and think before you speak. These guys hear everything and are smart as shit-house rats! We laughed and laughed about the continual attempted rip-offs. e.g a guy ripped a 100 rupee note, told us he would not accept a damaged note, so we would have to open our wallet and select another note, hopefully a larger value one. He tried to look inside my husband's wallet and his friends discussed how they could locate larger notes on my husband's body instead of the smaller ones in his wallet. All this is to confuse you about what value note you gave him so he can short change you!! There are scammers everywhere but they're also in New York! The countries you mentioned are comparable to India for tricksters, pickpockets etc. You'll do fine. Keep your wits about you. It is tiring but fun! Just enjoy the food, sights, people. Jaipur is one of my favourite places. Far more enjoyable & less polluted than bloody Lima and far smaller and easier to travel around. Have fun!

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Dec 9th, 2004, 08:27	#76
inca Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: bangalore Posts: 29	bombay madras hot and humid

Dec 9th, 2004, 11:28	#78
Sahibcol Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vashi, Navi Mumbai, India Posts: 54	Having read some of the previous comments, I feel I should at least put in a good word or two about Ahmedabad. OK, the noise and pollution are atrocious, but scratch beneath the surface and you can uncover numerous hidden gems. I would particularly recommend the Heritage Walk, which provides a fascinating glimpse of the old city. Contrary to popular belief, the inhabitants are not rock-throwing heathens, but on the whole friendly and unfailingly courteous. Certainly worth at least a couple of days exploration.

Dec 9th, 2004, 12:00	#79
Baldy gotta pee ... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Brisbane Posts: 187	amhedabad also off tourist path and tout-free ... people were friendly yes ...

Dec 9th, 2004, 15:57	#80
sadhuji Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: nasik, maharastra Posts: 1,261	likes and dislikes are dependant on ones interpretation - we all have our preferences. just because someone does not like some place does not necessarily mean that i share his views. he may have a genuine reason for his opinion, i will have to experience the same to form my opinion. after all, all places are beautiful to the eyes of the beholder!!

Dec 16th, 2004, 21:33	#81
goatfarmer goaty member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Thailand Posts: 57	Places of dislike: Kotah and Gwalior stand out as being charmless.

Jan 3rd, 2005, 00:53	#82
Degolasse Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1	Amristar - I was hassled more there then any other town in India. Of course the Golden Temple was beautiful and worth going to, but I'll never go back.

Jan 3rd, 2005, 02:43	#83
skell Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The OC Posts: 975	Now that I've seen the fabulous Sri Meenakshi Temple, I'd probably pass on visiting Madurai again. But I could be wrong....

Jan 3rd, 2005, 08:52	#87
skell Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The OC Posts: 975	I personally think that India is better than some other countries in that regard (I don't want to be too specific and offend anyone) because of the genuine friendliness of the people. Don't worry.

Jan 3rd, 2005, 10:14	#88
Sharonov Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Chicago, Il Posts: 60	I just realized I might have offended people from Sweden when I snored at the thought of traveling there. I'm sorry! Sweden is a beautiful country, and since my maiden name is Holmstrom, when I was there many years ago people were especially nice to me. Actually, they were just nice, period, and I especially enjoyed the beauty of the area above the arctic circle. It's just that I've gotten to the point that I prefer visiting a country where the culture is completely different, and Sweden is too much like midwest America to qualify in that category.

Jan 3rd, 2005, 21:56	#90
mr pastry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 131	In no particular order: Trichy - one day there was too long Mysore - The palace here must be the biggest rip-off in India and don't even ask me about the Green Hotel Haridwar - interesting enough by the Ganges but the town is sh**e. Ernakulam - why would anyone want to spend their holiday in the Indian equivalent of Tilbury

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