Incredible India - hopping around the South
I haven't done many crazy things in my life. And in the end even my short trip to South of India wasn't as crazy as thought once I got off the plane. It was an incredible adventure I enjoyed. I can't wait to go back. Read more from my "deep insights" into Indian culture. You might find even couple of suggestions for your itinerary.
[this blog post will be updated over time as I will have time]
Some of my observations:
1. Indian national instrument is a horn. The sound of street was definitely the strongest impression when I crossed airport gate for the first time. My brain took a while to adjust to the bustle of the street.
2. The traffic is crazy. Forget trying to drive yourself (except perhaps in Goa), this really requires some superpower :-). It is really nothing to compare to Cambodia, Vietnam, China, or Thailand. But surprisingly it works somehow. In the month I haven't seen a single accident; maybe it's because they just drive so slow.
3. It is a country of contrasts. And it's not only the deep poverty so close to the extreme wealth, though it's definitely the most striking one; it's also the colors of ubiquitous markets or the deep eyes of Indian women.
4. Yes, India is dirty, as everyone will tell you. The dirtyness differs from a state to state - for example in Mysore I felt very comfortable while Chennai (and basically the whole Tamil Nadu) was extreme. Imagine your worst nightmare and then multiply it 10 times. There was no trash system with huge piles of garbage in every stream, people didn't have elementary hygienic habits (crapped in the middle of streets or on those piles of garbage), there is no real access to clean water (many are washing in public water tanks, where you can see floating excrements), people are lying in middle of streets (who knows if they are dead or just sleeping)..
5. Except being dirty, it is also dirty cheap. Kilo of tomatoes for 5 eurocents, etc..
6. Prepare to be very popular :-). Indians are extremely curious nation and many of them don't see a westerner that often. Not that white people don't go to India; only they stay around the major attractions, so when an Indian family or a school make a trip to some of the temples you will be much bigger attraction for them than the temple itself.
You will be stared at, like all the time; and often secretely photographed. Many will approach you to take a picture with them. And in particular, if you are a woman, many teenage "tourists" will desire to have a picture with you. It is amusing at first, but the problem is that there is way too many Indians :-). After a month it's a bit annoying (I haven't been jealous about life of a celebrities before, but now I feel very sorry for them).
Update: You can get seemingly similar experience throughout the Asia (like in China and also in Indonesia). But India was different experience. It is not uncommon to be overwhelmed by a class of 15-year olds. Everyone shaking your hand and demanding to speak to you.
7. Dogs are everywhere. I think this is serious problem in India and they should take some real measures against this. The dogs are not agressive, sometimes even cute, but it still could be very dangerous. I like dogs, but I don't like rabies :-).
8. All say that I was brave to go there alone. Not really. I believe that India is very safe place for tourists (even single male, or a single self-confident woman) and except some minor incidents with tuk-tuk drivers I have always been well treated. Generally, people are very nice. Yes, lots of them will try to convince you to buy their stuff or use their services, and yes it is sometimes beyond a line. The only concern is the hygienical...
9. After a month, bargaining for everything can be very tiresome. Fortunately, now each product has something called MRP (maximum retail price) and also supermarkets with set prices are more common now... That makes your life much easier.. But the rest like fruits, vegies, silks,.. is up to your bargaining skills :).
10. No socks in India. Indians do not wear shoes, the national footwear are flip flops. It is not easy to buy socks in the markets, and if you find some, it is almost more expensive than back home.
11. India is country of crowdsourcing. You ask and people know everything :-). Directions, buses... really! This is amazing.
Highlights: Mumbai, Hampi, Bellary, Mysore, Mahabalipuram, Trichy
My trip was divided into two major parts - the deep South and the medium South :). I was mainly staying around major tourist sights although often I didn't see a white skin for long time - mainly in Tamil Nadu (Trichy, Thanjavur, ...). Take a look at the map with notes about each town or city we stayed in.