I’m probably going to India next month. It’s not a place I’ve ever wanted to visit. Nothing against India, it’s just not in my travel plans (well, it wasn’t). After reading the journal of MR. TROY, I really am not looking forward to it.\
I have an overarching philosophy when it comes to travel: only go places you can drink the water. This means that so far, I’ve been to Europe, Canada and Iceland outside the U.S. I’ve ventured into Mexico, and only drank Coke the whole time I was there (on all half-dozen trips). Yes, I’m a chicken… a chicken with gastrointestinal “issues”, and who doesn’t drink alcohol (you know, to kill the bad things).\
So far, I’ve been told not to rent a car, only drink bottled water, stay at the Leela Palace, fly business class (duh, always fly business class when you’re going to have to try to sleep on the plane – and when someone else is paying), check out the business lounge in Frankfurt, don’t eat anything that’s been washed in the water, take any medicine you think you might need with you (anti-poop, pro-poop, decongestants, antihistamines, pain killers, cough drops, etc), be prepared for serious jet lag (oh, yummy), and don’t do dairy.\
And I’ve only read one blog and talked to two people. Who else has been to Bangalore? What tips can you pass on so I don’t die/make an ass of myself?
Oh Cripes, I’m Scared
I’m jealous! I’ve been to Bangalore many times. While it has not always been easy (or even fun) it has always been a great experience. I’ve got the routine wired as far as travel to and fro. Gimme a jingle and I’ll hook ya up.
I have friends who currently lives in India, and used to live in Bangalore, and hence I’m too excited to get to visit India. Perhaps I haven’t gotten the same negative images of India from someone who calls it home. I guess it also helps if you like the food ahead of time.
In any case, you can see my”>http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyarea/”>my friend’s pictures on flickr, a lot that show India. I’d give you his blog to read, but he never posts, much less about India. 🙂
Went to Bangalore for a couple of weeks in April 1981. My only regret is my next likely trip to India will be northern-centric.
Its fulcrum is Chennai, not Bangalore, but I’ve always enjoyed Nancy Gandhi’s Under the Fire Star.
Try to let go of your fear, Kevin. You’re going to have a blast there. And once you’ve done India, you can start working your way through the rest of the “I” countries!
I hate to be a downer after all the positive comments, but try to avoid letting the locals breath on you too much. Tuberculosis is still rampant in India, according to my friend Amardeep, who visits frequently and now has a positive PPD reaction.
Thanks a lot, Tim. That’s just what I needed to know. I’m excited about going, but also nervous. It’s a weird twittering flutter in my chest every time I think about it.
If you bring your Mother yards and yards and yards and yards of beautiful silk, you won’t catch any nasty illnesses. This fact was recently published in a very reliable scientific journal. 🙂