A Beginners Guide to Traveling India
Tourism is and has always been an advancing industry. We fuel this. And no matter how much we dislike it when we get to a place filled with other exuberant tourists and their carefully picked out outfits and shades, snapping plenty of photos before even taking in the new landscape and breathtaking view, we are, to different extents, these people we rag on.
In our younger years we’d travel during summer break and winter break and spring break. We'd travel on the weekends after the week finished. Now we travel when we can during our time off. We travel for the holidays. When we get married we travel to celebrate our honeymoon, some even to celebrate engagement. Some travel when their friends get married. If lucky, you may travel because your job requires so. We travel for birthdays. We travel to decompress, to escape work, school, kids, the society we live in. We travel after finishing school as a treat to congratulate ourself of our achievement.
If you’re like me, you may be traveling for a while, without a set plan, and you have your reasons. It’s a part of life, it’s a part of growth, it’s a part of education, and without it we’d be rather stale homebodies knowing little about the places outside of our residency. We are undoubtedly blessed to have the means to see new places and experience them with people we love, or the sister brother strangers that become key figures in these enriching memories.
One thing I know is that the tourism industry, seriously, I mean seriously profits off us. Oftentimes to a point of pure frustration at our troubled ability to work around the system. In the US, Europe, and Australia, bargaining for goods is not an art of practice so it’s understandable we’ll fall victim in South Asian countries like India, Thailand, and Cambodia, where scamming tourists is the nature. I haven’t ventured into South America, Africa, or east of India yet so my advice on how to milk your wallet in those touristic places may be unhelpful, but I have gotten somewhat comfortable in the bargaining arena which I believe to be the same game played in most third world countries of popular visitation. I've also learned so much about the culture through the family I've stayed with, traveling great lengths by motorcycle, partaking in a month long yoga course, attending Indian marriage celebrations, traveling like locals on government busses and trains, and sleeping in $2 a night 10x10 cube sized huts where the floor is the beach sand and rats take hide in up the bamboo wreath walls above and beside you. Here are my novice bits of advice:
You Need a Visa
No this isn't self-explanatory, you think they teach this in school? Thats why I'm here people
- Tourist visas are generally granted for three months, six months, or a year. The maximum amount of time you can spend in the country at one time is 180 days.
- Two-month E-Visas can be granted online within a few days.
Mentally Prepare Yourself, Drop Assumptions, & Lower your Expectations of Living, Pre-Departure
You'll be eagerly awaiting your arrival, thoughts will flow naturally. Pay mind that India is not a Westernized Country
- Homelessness, slums, individual health & health standards, life in the home, social queues & interactions, food & the eating culture are just a few of the major differences you'll see and feel immediately upon arrival.
Know the Local Price
Don't fall victim to scams in the place you'll be calling home for the time being
- When you become actual friends with people you meet along the way, (travelers, locals, people on your bus, shop owners, hotel administration) converse about their experiences bargaining and buying goods. Get their recommendations on prices, how much to pay what not to pay, etc.
- MRP = Maximum Retail Price
When buying a packaged good, (water, soap, snacks, etc) the MRP will be listed somewhere on the wrapping. This is the highest price you should pay. Some places will try to scam you by saying it costs more to deliver the good to their specific shop, or for the chilling of your chosen drink in their cooler. Refer back to the price listed, be aware of these things, stand your ground. Also understand that it is hard to work around these price increases on secluded beaches, in the mountains, and in heavy tourist areas.
Shop Around
Patience, Persistence, and Accepting Rejection Fluidly
- Check out multiple choices before purchasing what you need, especially large purchases such as a place to stay, jewelry, clothing, taxi / tuk tuk / rickshaw, and give yourself time to find the best price if it's midday and your not scavenging for what you need past midnight.
Find your Strength (fake or not) in BARGAINING
Clothing, jewelry, fruits, vegetables, and food sold on the streets, guest houses and hotel rooms, rickshaws and taxis
- We have wealth written all over us in third world countries. The local people recognize this and will always give you an overinflated cost, much greater than an item's worth.
- When there is no packaging with an MRP, BARGAIN.
- Most places will give you their price, then ask your price when you don't immediately motion to purchase said good. Split their price in half. They may laugh, but surely they'll work their price down to meet yours. If they don't budge then explain you’ll look around. Leave the shop. As you walk away they’ll usually work harder at making the sale, be persistent on your price, but also mindful of what is actually profitable for them. Be kind during the process, smiling and laughing in friendly manners goes a long way.
- Prepare yourself beforehand to walk away during the deal, even when you really want your desired good. You will get it eventually, either at another shop, another day, or another time.
Notice all your Questions and ASK THEM IMMEDIATELY (verbally or technologically)
Things will be much more rewarding & filled with enlightenment
- The locals want to converse with you, learn about where your from, and what makes you you. They also want you do want the same with them, to talk, to share, to seek knowledge about India.
- If you don't become active within yourself and your surroundings you'll absolutely regret being passive in the experience.
Be Cautious and Slow to Acclimate Yourself to the Food
Street food most likely will get the best of you if consumed often within the first couple weeks
- Thankfully, tons of pharmacies line the city streets with highly educated doctors that accurately prescribe locals and travelers alike with inexpensive medication and antibiotics that treat fast.
Download the Maps for Each City you Plan to Visit, Ahead of Time
Being lost and stranded will bring stress and frustration, prepare before you arrive
- Maps.Me and Google Maps are great apps to have.
Consider Forfeiting some Cash for a SIM card
Wifi is scarce and weak so having internet is precious
- Many cafe restaurants and hotels in the less touristic places don't have internet connection so this will benefit you immensely.
Exercise a Mindful Attitude
Friendliness, Modesty, Respect
- Indian's take much pride and hold a serious nature in their culture when it comes to spirituality, clothing, attitude, public displays of affection, food, and drinking culture. It does not go unnoticed when you respect the local way of living because you yourself become more connected with the place and people, heightening the entire experience.
- Smile, show warmth, be friendly, even if the people seem afraid or timid near you. They are not acclimated to western people as we are to Indians.
Ask Before Taking Photos of Local People... Unless your both on motorcycles
This simply goes without explanation. Show respect, entertain mindfulness, and just be decent
Entertain Caution Around Cows, Dogs and Monkeys
Cows tend to ram if you pet, and dogs, although usually loving and wanting a good rub, can be nasty. Be vigilant and have a good read. Oh yeah and the monkeys, stay away
Don't Book Hostels or through Airbnb (unless your desperate for immediate community, which is OK too)
Guest houses and cafe/restaurant hotels are the way to go
- Hostels are great when you have adequate spending cash and are wanting security, comfortability, and a community of like-minded travelers right at your finger tips, but for less than half the price of one twin-sized bed and a shared room you can have your own room and bathroom. Hostels create a great welcoming space to hangout and engage with other guests, but this characteristic has a strong tendency suck you in, subsequently taking away time for you to find the treasured nooks and local spots of the town.
- Guest house and cafe accommodations ($3-$7 a night) have rooms that mirror the standards of living of the country you’re in, (or are a bit nicer) which in my opinion gives a much more rich cultural experience and also a greater chance of meeting the somewhat grungy yet budget-oriented, experienced, travelers who may add some light to the path of your ongoing journey.
- Airbnb is the worst at scamming you. They'll charge double or even triple what you'll pay for the same guest house listed on their site when you go in person to the residence to book the room. I like the old you better Airbnb.
Consider Public / Government Transport
Riding in a local train or bus occupied by natives fosters an entirely unique and rare, intimate journey.
And hey, you'll be helping our oceans by reducing your carbon footprint and flying less. Go You!!!
- A 30 cent bus ride here, $4 30-hour train ride there, $6 40-hour train ride here, you get the gist. I'm not saying to do this all the time, but it would be in your best interest to acclimate yourself to the people and way of life in the country your residing for the time being.
- The locals will most definitely be all kinds of eye-bulging, jaw-dropping shocked, but traveling how they do opens your eyes to how lucky you are to afford rather luxury train rides, plane flights, and owning a car. Living like they do will improve the way you represent where you're from, it'll empower you, and it will positively define your own character.
Do your own Digging
The real gems of India aren't listed on websites with must-visit places - this is important. Dig deep.
- You know those other 300 pages listed on Google when you search for what you're looking for? Yeah, that's where you'll really feel lucky. Social media may come in handy here too.
And there you have it... well, at least my rendition of a beginners guide. Don't waste emotional energy stressing over the things you don't know. You'll learn eventually. After all, the most important part is getting there. And obtaining your visa... don't forget the visa.
Now onwards! The journey awaits.
