“Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to India. The temperature outside is 40 degrees Celsius (do not try converting as you might want to go back!).For any assistance, please contact the travel desk. We wish you a pleasant stay and thank you for flying with us….”

Relieved after the long journey from any part of the world, you arrive at an unearthly hour, hoping to catch up with your sleep and scour the excitement of India that you have read and heard about. Here are a few tips if you are stepping on the Indian soil for the first time

Driving to your Hotel ……..

As you push your luggage cart out of the airport, you will realize how friendly Indians are. Hordes of taxi and auto rickshaw drivers will descend on you offering to take you for a ride (literally!) .Safer to backtrack and get yourself to the pre-paid cab counter.
While you commute to the hotel, try and observe some landmarks. Generally airports are pretty far, so you will probably see nothing much but wayside billbords and Hoardings are a vitual sight time and again.
As you drive towards the city, you will pass many stores, so make a mental note for your future shopping sprees
Safety please….

Safety might not be the best assurance everywhere, so just remember that especially when you use hotel rooms. Its safer to leave your precious belongings ,in the locker facilities provided
Keep your other belongings locked. the hotel Star ratings do not necessarily mean staff integrity!

Hot Indian curry…..

If you are trying Indian food for the first time, request the steward to tell the chef to go easy on the spices. Your palate will get used to as time passes.The Alternative is to order continental cuisine.

Carry your own mineral water bottle everywhere. You will feel very thirsty in India. Water quenches thirst ,this way ,better than aerated soft drinks
Avoid salads as your tummy may not take to raw food easily.
Chutneys are no doubt tangy but avoid them unless you eat in very high-end restaurants.
Resist the temptation to eat at roadside eateries, unless you want to experience Indian tummy upsets!
Try out a Thali meal to taste the diversity that is the hallmark of Indian cusine.

Shopping mania…

Shop in stores that stock quality products. Alike anywhere in the world, roadside hawkers sell you cheap stuff thatare not durable.The Indian Malls are crowded and noisy but do not miss the food courts
A must for every woman are the silks and gold and diamond jewellery. Select them at the High End stores. It will be worth the money you pay ,for it.

People are very friendly…..

Do not be offended, if strangers come and talk to you. Indians are basically friendly and curious. As long as you do not get drawn in to tete e tete.
Avoid shaking hands .The traditional namaste is hygienic and courteous
Air kisses and bear hugs are best avoided if you are averse to body odor!!
Never pick up a blind date, however attractive the proposition. Remember, India has a high HIV count.
Besides the usual tour of heritage buildings, art galleries, Monuments and Museums, try to get invited to someone’s home for a meal. Make sure your appetite is healthy. Indians are aggressively hospitable .Every time you rave about a dish, you will be served another helping!

Adventure….

Do take a ride on the train, bus, or any local public transport. You will enjoy a camel ride (if you are not prone to seasickness!) and an elephant ride too. Some cities have old ‘Victorias’ you will love sitting in. You might be duped into paying a lot but it is worth it for the experience! Just hang on to your wallet and PP!

Religion & Culture…..

The flavors of India are in its temples. The colors…the noise…the incense aroma….the cacophony of devotees…the urchins…the lurking pocket pickers…soothsayers…snake charmers….vendors of postcards to talismans….in all this mayhem, you might just be able to get a glimpse of the deity.
Try and participate in an Indian festival…there are many, so you are bound to catch one during your stay!
The local paper will tell you about any dance or music show in the city. You will enjoy it.

Hindi films…

The Indian film Industry is one of the most vibrant producers of blockbusters to box office failures. A must -see is a hindi film. It is a three hour tour of a fantasy called life with gyrating women in skimpy clothes, lecherous villains pawing vulnerable women, swashbuckling heroes parading as modern day Knights of the Round Table, rescuing these damsels and at the end proclaiming that “all is well that ends well”

Not far behind is the small screen that brings into the drawing rooms of millions of homes, Soaps that range from the ridiculous to the ludicrous. Beautiful women dressed like Christmas trees, plot and plan to destroy gullible men and evil is glorified for months and years till the script writer runs out of ideas and good triumphs! How can you miss these? Language does not matter. Actions speak ,so have a go at it.

Age cannot wither nor custom stale the infinite variety of India. Just keep an open mind, a close watch on your belongings and have funnnn. You will want to come again.