Photo Credit: Mckaysavage
My first international trip occurred when I was four – we took a ferry to Victoria, Canada from Seattle during a Christmas vacation. I have only three hazy memories from that trip: shivering on the ferry from winter weather so unlike balmy California, walking along some cobblestone streets, and marveling at the snow and woolly mammoths.
In retrospect, I believe the woolly mammoth was behind glass at the Royal British Columbia Museum, but for years I informed people that Canada had weird streets, snow, and woolly mammoths.
By the time I met Aditya I’d had the chance to live abroad in Germany and travel around Europe and Mexico, so I was about as well prepared for a trip to India as anyone can be. Before that first departure, I was remember reading books on travel and India fervently in an effort to make my trip there – and the Hindu wedding Aditya and I would have – more enjoyable and stress-free. Most of the advice I found was garbage, to be honest – Aditya and I had a lot of laughs at the expense of writers who seemed to think that India was entirely composed of only squalor and spirituality, instead of, you know, regular folks living their lives. However, one short quotation I came across prior to that trip still stands out to me – it was great travel advice, especially for someone on her way to her wedding:
A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it. – John Steinbeck
Traveling anywhere means leaving the familiar where we’re comfortable and in control – to a large extent, that’s the purpose of travel. And so giving up control, and allowing India to be a shock to my (very Americanized) system ended up being half the fun.
So if you asked me for my number one piece of advice on traveling to India, that would be it – accept that traveling means giving up control, get ready to get uncomfortable, and learn to appreciate the unfamiliar quirks of the new place you’re at, even if they’re not the way you’d prefer things to be – after all, you’re only visiting.
Of course, this sort of advice, while important, is not helpful for specific concerns – concerns like the ones Cristina Chopalli lists in her recent article in India Currents asking for advice for her first trip abroad to India for her traditional wedding:
The Goods: What to Pack
· What medicines should I pack which may not be available in India?
· Any certain types of clothing?
· Are there any items which are common in America which people in India love, i.e. microwave popcorn?
· What type of gifts do we bring to family members? For ladies? For men? For kids?
Plane and Simple: How to be Comfortable on the Long Flight
· What should I keep in my carry-on bag?
· Do airlines serve good vegetarian food or should I pack some?
· Tips for maximum comfort in a confined space.
Ports of Call: A Guide to International Airports
· Best ways to spend a lay-over in an airport?
· Advice for smoothly getting in and out of airports: documentation, etc.
· Tips on Duty-Free shopping.
· Ways to overcome jet lag.
First Impressions: Culture Shock: Mental and Physical
· Common remedies for common ailments: tummy aches, bug bites, etc.
· Greeting family members for the first time.
Travel Within India: Planes, Trains, and Temples
· Tips for taking train journeys.
· Tips for air travel within India.
· Temples and places to visit on day trips in and around Bangalore.
The Indian Wedding: Let’s Get Married!
· Any general advice for a bride getting married in South India.
The Road Home: Travelling Back to America
· What items should I bring back from India?
· Is the trip back more exhausting?
Since a lot of us have been in (or currently are in) the same spot as Cristina – anticipating our first trip to India, possibly our first international trip ever, going to see our partner’s family members, looking forward to a traditional wedding in an unfamiliar land – I thought it would be great if we could all pitch in with a bit of advice for her.
So, I’d love to hear both your number one piece of advice for Cristina, as well as any answers you have for her specific questions. Please leave your advice in the comments for everyone to learn from, and, if you have the time, email them to the editors at India Currents at editor@indiacurrents.com. I’ve given my most important piece of advice above – I’ll post my answers to Cristina’s questions in a couple of days in the comments section as well, and email the editors so they’re aware of what I hope will be a great resource with lots of advice.
4. November 2010 at 3:25 am
The Goods: What to Pack
· What medicines should I pack which may not be available in India?
You get most medicines in India. You should carry some like Tylenol, Kirkland Anti Diarrheal, Advil & the like. In case of falling seriously ill, you would need to see a doc anyways.
· Any certain types of clothing?
Conservative plus check the weather at the time of travel. India is usually warm. North Indian winters could be really cold.
· Are there any items which are common in America which people in India love, i.e. microwave popcorn?
Micro pop corn is readily available. (Brand Act II) India has Mc Donalds, Subways and the like. American food is not a problem. These days in some major cities you can easily get Iranian, Spanish, Turkish, Lebanese, Thai food easily too.
· What type of gifts do we bring to family members? For ladies? For men? For kids?
Gifts are something very personal depending a lot on the giver and the receiver. I would suggest books and games for the kids. Laptops, since the models come out first in US and then launched in India later. Perfumes are nice. Drinks are nice if the person drinks. You could get a bottle at the duty free too, save you the trouble of lugging it around all the way from home. A nice wrist watch could be a great gift. Though India has all major brands available even something like Movado. Indians would appreciate a simple Rolex more than the Movado, since the Movado is a very lesser known brand in India and it’s styling doesn’t appeal to many. We get Tag and Omega too here now, plus the Indian made watches are really nice and sturdy and very long lasting. You could also consider taking back home Indian made wrist watches like Titan or something.
Plane and Simple: How to be Comfortable on the Long Flight
· What should I keep in my carry-on bag?
Deo, charger for your mobile, books to read, and something to munch on if you’re stuck at the airport or something. We seldom have airline delays in India due to the weather, but flights are usually late by fifteen or twenty minutes, which is understandable. But long delays do happen, although rarely. Try to keep a small bottle of your lens care solution if you use them, and all medicines too.
· Do airlines serve good vegetarian food or should I pack some?
Indian airlines usually have great veg food. Also available easily all over the country.
· Tips for maximum comfort in a confined space.
Maintain your distance, don’t smile too much at strangers, and don’t carry too much cash, though it isn’t too risky, but since credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, except probably to pay the cab driver. All shops, restaurants and hotels accept credit cards, and you can use your bank card to withdraw cash almost from anywhere. There are plenty of ATM’s.
Ports of Call: A Guide to International Airports
· Best ways to spend a lay-over in an airport?
Don’t. Get a hotel. I would. But in case of emergencies, read a book, try get some shut eye, or just walk around. There isn’t much to do at airports anyways.
· Advice for smoothly getting in and out of airports: documentation, etc.
Just keep your Visa ready! And you’re all set! If you’re coming in from an African country, you might need proof of vaccination against yellow fever, but that’s just about it. If it’s a business visa, then you might want to keep the letter from the inviting company handy, but in most cases it won’t be essential. Indian immigration officers are really fast workers, especially in airports like New Delhi or Mumbai.
· Tips on Duty-Free shopping.
The alcohol is cheaper here at the duty free. Not that cheaper either, but certainly cheaper than in the US or in the markets in India.
· Ways to overcome jet lag.
Sleep, have good food, and sleep some more!
First Impressions: Culture Shock: Mental and Physical
· Common remedies for common ailments: tummy aches, bug bites, etc.
I carry Tylenol, Advil and Kirkland Anti Diarrheal with me where ever I travel, plus some random anti biotic which is available off the shelf at any Costco pharmacy or Long’s drugs or where ever. For bug bites, I would suggest you meet a local doctor, for they would be able to treat you better. For instance, Dengue is a disease that happens with some mosquito bite, but docs in the US are totally unaware of it since the disease has never happened in India. In winters in North India, because of the sheer cold, there are no mosquitoes, so you’re good to go. In summers, you could consider staying in clean hotels where there aren’t any bugs.
· Greeting family members for the first time.
Just be nice, smile sweetly and say Hi ! You don’t really have to do the Indian “Namaste.” Most Indian families say Hi these days. Be yourself. That’s most important. Don’t bother putting on a act of trying to learn to be Indian. No one bothers, no one cares any more. Indians are usually busier than usual now because of the commute to work times. Indians these days are spending around two to four hours a day just in commuting to work. And besides, India has no concept of 40 hour weeks. Everyone has a 54 hour week, except some new American companies which have a strict 40 hour week but the commute might add four hours a day to it.
Travel Within India: Planes, Trains, and Temples
· Tips for taking train journeys.
Be on time and be prepared for delays. Carry no valuables. Carry little cash. Use credit cards as and when you can. Most Indian trains do serve food, but you might want to stick to a sandwich packed from Subway. Avoid over night trains if you can. Prefer traveling in air conditioned trains.
· Tips for air travel within India.
Depends on the distance. If you’re traveling to the hills from New Delhi, hire a nice cab. If you’re traveling from New Delhi to Mumbai for example, it’s better to take a flight. Indian domestic flights are really inexpensive these days. Trains are good too, if you’re on a tight budget. However, if it’s a planned vacation, then I strongly suggest you buy a airplane ticket for travel within India much earlier. They are easily available online. Try Cleartrip dot com, makemytrip dot com, yatra dot com etc.
· Temples and places to visit on day trips in and around Bangalore.
Never been near Bangalore. Refer to the travel guide or something.
The Indian Wedding: Let’s Get Married!
· Any general advice for a bride getting married in South India.
No knowledge about South Indian Weddings or weddings in general. Sorry!
The Road Home: Travelling Back to America
· What items should I bring back from India?
Anything and everything you like! These days it’s also real easy to ship shopping and gifts back to your home abroad from India. In case you think you might have excess baggage, it might be easier/cheaper to ship stuff back home. This is a great idea especially in light of the new baggage rules of the United States, which very strongly suggest towards paying for the first bag too. Sigh. I don’t know who made that law. Indian airplanes still carry 20 kgs for the first bag free of charge, and the girls are the boarding desk usually let up to 25 kgs. free of charge, Bless them!
· Is the trip back more exhausting?
Strongly depends on person to person. For me, the trips back home are always more exhausting because I have not slept properly while on the trip due to erratic work schedules/sightseeing etc.
4. November 2010 at 8:33 am
India was my very first international trip, so it certainly was a learning curve for me!
The Goods: What to Pack
· What medicines should I pack which may not be available in India? Since I tend to get sick enough in my own country (I have IBS), I was really worried about my trip to India and even factored in 1-2 weeks of me being down with some kind of ailment. Way to think positively, huh? LOL Luckily, that didn’t happen since I was overly careful so I only had 1 day of stomach trouble the entire month I was there. I packed Airborne (which I think saved me from coming down with a cold post flight), Immodium, Pepto, Tums, Advil, Aleve and my anti-malaria pills. The following items are not medicines, but certainly something I would never leave without. If you don’t already have them, get several rolls of travel toilet paper and toilet seat covers. These were a Godsend for me! I always had my “sacred roll” tucked into my purse anytime I went out. Antibacterial hand-wipes are also a good thing to have.
· Any certain types of clothing?
I went to South India in December and it was hot, hot, hot! Jeans and t-shirts are what to pack (nothing revealing or tight) and any Indian-style clothing you might have. I ended up buying 3 outfits which I wore a lot while in India since the fabric is more forgiving than jeans in the hot climate! My husband was very against my nightgown (too revealing), so I bought a pant/t-shirt sleep set which was more conservative. Walking sandals! I love sandals and wear them all the time here, but they came in so handy in India. Easy on/off and helps to keep your feet cool. If you know you’re going to do a lot of walking or sight-seeing, then also pack some comfortable walking shoes with a good tread.
· Are there any items which are common in America which people in India love, i.e. microwave popcorn?
I think everything is pretty much available in India, but they do rather enjoy soaps and anything regional in the US (for ex we would bring Ghirardelli chocolate since we were from the San Francisco Bay Area)
· What type of gifts do we bring to family members? For ladies? For men? For kids?
This is more of a personal question since every family is different. When we went, we brought tennis shoes, t-shirts and sweatshirts for the nephews, soaps and bath stuff for the women, bottle of liquor from duty free and of course, chocolate. In the past, my husband had brought Oakley sunglasses, Guess watches and portable DVD players.
Plane and Simple: How to be Comfortable on the Long Flight
· What should I keep in my carry-on bag? I kept a change of clothes and bag of toiletries in case luggage was lost. That way, we’d at least have something to change into if we had to wait for our luggage to be found. We also carried our computer, camera and reading materials in our carry on bags.
· Do airlines serve good vegetarian food or should I pack some? I think most airlines have decent accommodations for whatever diet requests you have. We flew Singapore Airlines, and even though I’m not veg, they had a veg option.
· Tips for maximum comfort in a confined space. Really not too much you can do in small airline seats but wear something super comfortable and not restrictive – like sweats.
Ports of Call: A Guide to International Airports
· Best ways to spend a lay-over in an airport? Since this was my first international trip, we actually had a day layover in Singapore which I think was fantastic. Not only for allowing me to see another country, but also helping to acclimate to a new timezone. I don’t sleep on flights regardless of how much I want to, so by the time we reached Singapore, I was exhausted. It was night when we arrived, so by the time our shuttle got us to our hotel, we just crashed. We woke up feeling refreshed the next day, spent the day looking around Singapore and then went back to the airport to catch the last remaining portion of our flight to India.
· Advice for smoothly getting in and out of airports: documentation, etc. Just make sure you have everything handy and in a safe place. My husband was not yet a US Citizen at the time, so he had his Indian Passport and green card. I had my passport. If it applies, make sure you have your visa up-to-date.
· Tips on Duty-Free shopping. The only duty-free we did was buy a bottle of liquor in Singapore for one of my husband’s brothers. It’s cheaper there than lugging it from the US or buying in India
· Ways to overcome jet lag. Having a stop-over in Singapore really helped me with this. I didn’t have a problem at all once we reached India. For those not so lucky, probably just eating and sleeping and adjusting your body is the only way to go.
First Impressions: Culture Shock: Mental and Physical
· Common remedies for common ailments: tummy aches, bug bites, etc. I was most worried about stomach trouble, so the Immodium, pepto and tums were my go-to medicines. Avoiding street vendors and religiously using bottle water would help. I didn’t have any issues with bugs or bug bites, so not advice on that.
· Greeting family members for the first time. Tbg pretty much covered this one – just smile, be yourself and if you’re comfortable doing so – you can touch feet or give hugs. I’m a hugger, so I gave hugs.
Travel Within India: Planes, Trains, and Temples
· Tips for taking train journeys. Make sure to be in an AC car in the highest class you can possibly afford and hope you don’t have a roach infestation like I had on my 13 hour journey! *eep* We packed food for the journey and wore comfortable clothes since it was an overnight trip.
· Tips for air travel within India. Pretty much the same applies there as it would for flying domestically in the US
· Temples and places to visit on day trips in and around Bangalore. I didn’t visit Bangalore, so no advice here. Once you’re in India, the family will take care of you, so I’m sure they’ll have this covered.
The Indian Wedding: Let’s Get Married!
· Any general advice for a bride getting married in South India. Relax and enjoy the experience! Let the family spoil you!
The Road Home: Travelling Back to America
· What items should I bring back from India? Like Tbg mentions, anything and everything you like! We brought back some artwork, handicrafts, salwars and jewelry
· Is the trip back more exhausting? For me, it felt like it. I was so excited on the trip over that it didn’t seem as long and exhausting (although it was!). The flight home, however, seemed to drag on and on and since we didn’t have the day stop over in Singapore, I had jet lag upon my return to the US.
4. November 2010 at 8:38 am
The Goods: What to Pack
• What medicines should I pack which may not be available in India?
Everything I needed was available in India but you may want to pack supplies of any regular prescription drugs you need. The great thing about India is that you can get generic versions of everything, which makes drugs cheaper (for us, anyway). One thing you might consider which I’m going to come right out and say is that if you take the contraceptive pill, you could ask your doctor about running two or three packets together i.e. so that you have no pill-free week and no “period”. Some contraceptives are designed that way these days anyway and it will reduce the need for you to pack those kinds of supplies and save you from the hassle of needing to find a bathroom you feel comfortable with …
• Any certain types of clothing
The obvious choices would be jeans (or in hotter weather, cotton or linen trousers) and a couple of tunics/kaftans which will translate into most settings. It may depend on how wedded you are to your own dress-sense (because you could find you’re happier/more comfortable in salwar kameez when you get there, esp. if it’s hot) but I think a good rule with packing for this kind of trip is to get everything out on the floor or your bed and then halve it and then possibly halve that again. Do take less than you think you’ll need, you will be so grateful for the extra room in your cases at the end of the trip – I can’t say that enough!! Plus, especially if you are travelling in warm weather, you may be grateful to have room to squeeze in a few new kurtis in lovely light Indian cotton. Also, you can get one there, but I would recommend taking one cotton scarf in a colour which you can wear with a lot of things, as a makeshift dupatta. Great for evenings when it gets cooler, great for covering your shoulders or head at a temple, great for drying your hands, great for dusting sand off your feet, protecting your face or neck from extreme sunshine … Again, if you are planning to go into the hills or you are not visiting in the height of summer, take a cardigan or fleece because the evenings can be surprisingly cold!! Take flip flops too. A must. One other piece of advice is that if you think your clothes might be washed by a dhobi walla, you might not take the very best or most delicate items of your wardrobe as although they provide an excellent service, it isn’t exactly the gentle wash cycle …
• Are there any items which are common in America which people in India love, i.e. microwave popcorn?
Some brands of chocolate … although depending on the season you go in, you may not want to risk taking it. Tins of individually wrapped chocolate (like you can buy at Christmas time) usually go down well, but are heavy to pack!
• What type of gifts do we bring to family members? For ladies? For men? For kids?
Difficult to judge, you could ask your husband for tips on family members’ preferences. For hosts overseas, I usually try and take something typical from home. Locally-made or speciality biscuits, luxury hand creams or perfumes of quality brands from home, or even locally-crafted items like scarves, brooches (to wear with saris!) etc might be appreciated.
Plane and Simple: How to be Comfortable on the Long Flight
• What should I keep in my carry-on bag?
Whatever will make you feel more at ease. A mini tube of real toothpaste will beat the measly size the airline will offer you and is likely to taste (and therefore feel) fresher. A neck pillow. Your own headphones & music. A gripping book. A notepad & pen. One recommendation I was given once which I has stood me in great stead is to pack things you really wouldn’t want to have to replace should (worst case scenario) your bag not arrive at your destination when you do. This might include your essential makeup, key medical supplies, your chosen sun cream, a change of underwear … I wouldn’t recommend taking any prized jewellery on any trip abroad, even if their value is not necessarily monetary, but I frequently pack what I do take in my hand luggage too. A long flight can make you very dry so if you can squeeze in a small spray bottle or can of water or facial toner, that will help … your nose can get especially dry from breathing air con all the time! Finally if you suffer from travel sickness or nerves, you may want to pack something for that. You can buy wristbands which work on the acupressure point for relieving nausea. Bart’s Rescue Remedy http://www.bachflower.com/Rescue_Remedy.htm is a good natural tincture to off-set nerves …
• Do airlines serve good vegetarian food or should I pack some?
The word “good” does not really come to mind when considering airline food
Veg food on airlines these days seems unfortunately to have fallen into the catch-all category of “other”; a meal that can be served to people citing any number of the following dietary concerns: vegetarian, vegan, kosher, diabetic etc etc … you will usually find that where others have a bread roll, you get a cracker, where they have butter, you will get margarine … and that delicious chocolate pudding your neighbour is tucking into? You’ll get tinned fruit or some apparently food-free shmoosh. It is usually tolerable; some people find the in-flight meals entertaining merely because they break up the long journey, others won’t eat anything at all (and in fact, there is some evidence to suggest that a short period of “starvation” help your body adjust to the new time zone http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7414437.stm). If you are veg, you could just order veg and take it as it comes, but if you like Indian food a lot you could order Asian Veg as often that is more palatable. Good idea to pack a snack just in case – though check regulations about what may be transported before you go packing a hamper of gourmet delights! And whatever you do, drink lots of water! You can often help yourself on flights these days but it doesn’t hurt to buy a bottle in duty free so that you don’t have to keep getting up for water or wait to be served. Even if you don’t use it on the flight, you’ll be grateful for it during the lay-over.
• Tips for maximum comfort in a confined space.
This is sort of like the food situation. Unless you can afford to fly in premium, business or first class, there’s not a lot you can do. Some airlines may allow you to pre-book the seats in the emergency exit row – these have extra leg room so are popular, but often can only be booked at the airport because the attendants will want to ask you if you think you are capable of opening the exit in an emergency :-S Otherwise I would choose an aisle seat. I love a window seat for the view and for the comfort of having a wall to lean against, but get tired of having to clamber over other passengers to get to the bathroom or to stretch my legs (which you should do, you must do – also follow guidelines in either the in-flight magazine or instruction card in the back of the seat in front of you on how to do simple exercises to improve your circulation in flight. You can wear flight socks, too, which can help prevent swelling and discomfort in your legs). I wouldn’t recommend sitting too close to the toilet or taking a seat in the mid section of the plane as opposed to the outside aisles if you can possibly help it – smell/queues of people and more people/more cramped space/more noise respectively being the key turn-offs.
Ports of Call: A Guide to International Airports
• Best ways to spend a lay-over in an airport?
Depends how long you have. I would visit the bathroom for a more thorough wash of face and teeth, sleep a little but also, very importantly, take a good walk around. You really need to walk (also a good tip for after you’ve arrived at your destination).
• Advice for smoothly getting in and out of airports: documentation, etc.
Get a little travel wallet and put everything you need in there, with a pen. Don’t bother with a cover for your passport as you will have to take it off the passport whenever you are asked to show it. Depending on where you are travelling to (I appreciate we’re talking here about India, but as a general rule …), it might be helpful to have a little bit of currency already in your wallet for taxis, train fares, tips etc. On a related note, the father of a friend of mine once recommended that we photocopy our travel documentation and keep the photocopy separate from the originals, say in the luggage that goes in the hold and another copy in your carry-on bag. You just never know when you might be grateful to have a copy of e.g. your passport or insurance details readily available!
• Tips on Duty-Free shopping.
Think about what you might like to get before you get there. Typically, there are discounts on big-brand cosmetics & perfumes, designer clothing & handbags and electrical goods. If you are already planning to get something like that or would like to stock up either for yourself or for gifts for others it is a good opportunity, but make a list and check beforehand that you cannot get as good or a better deal on the internet. It is just more stuff to carry in the end, especially if you don’t actually need it for your trip.
• Ways to overcome jet lag.
Set every clock to the time of your destination as soon as possible. Eat and sleep at the appropriate time for that place, even if it means you wake early … after about a week you will settle into the new times but if you keep napping and not focussing on the time in the place where you actually are … it can be fatal!
First Impressions: Culture Shock: Mental and Physical
• Common remedies for common ailments: tummy aches, bug bites, etc.
If you have a mild tummy upset, try to just let it run its course. Unless you have to travel, don’t take pills to stop diarrhoea … Mint or fennel tea is soothing, you could pack a few bags. You can make a makeshift hot water bottle to help settle an aching stomach by filling a plastic water bottle from the hot tap. In India, some foods are considered “easier” on the stomach or are thought to have a good effect on an upset stomach e.g. pomegranate, not-quite-ripe bananas, idli & the rice dish kichdi …
• Greeting family members for the first time.
Smile! Be yourself. If you are with your husband, you might decide to follow what he does e.g. touch the feet of his elders. However, as a general tip for anywhere in the world, don’t do anything that makes you feel awkward or uncomfortable – your own greetings, from the heart, will be the most genuine and pleasing to your hosts.
Travel Within India: Planes, Trains, and Temples
• Tips for taking train journeys.
Ah, never took one, sorry!
• Tips for air travel within India.
Same rules as for long-haul apply … with any air travel, anywhere, there is always the possibility for lots of waiting around and I have found in India that there are generally fewer entertainments in the airports and departure lounges than you might get at home. Again, a good book will be your best friend at this point! There are low-cost airlines for travel within India, e.g. Spicejet, Jet Airways, IndiGo, which are worth investigating for cheaper fares.
• Temples and places to visit on day trips in and around Bangalore.
Might have to come back to you about that one … I wouldn’t miss joining the locals for a brisk early evening walk around the Lal Bagh gardens though; or you could just sit back and watch the whole world go by!
The Indian Wedding: Let’s Get Married!
• Any general advice for a bride getting married in South India.
Not married, sorry! But I know many friends who have said of a-n-y wedding that you must take a moment at the very least to appreciate the day and you must know that already. So much time is spent in preparations and the day itself rushes past, so it is important to savour some memories.
The Road Home: Travelling Back to America
• What items should I bring back from India?
Personally, I wish I’d brought more jewellery and clothing, for myself and as gifts. Also unusual cloth and trimmings for dressmaking or craft work. Photos and videos are a treasure of course. If you are there for long enough and you might consider getting a few sari blouses or salwar suits made up, especially since you seem to make use of your desi wardrobe? The variety is just dizzying and will beat anything you can find at home or online.
• Is the trip back more exhausting?
Well it does depend where you are in the world. It is generally thought that it is harder in terms of jet-lag to travel West to East as opposed to East to West (scientifically, I think this is because most people’s natural body clock or “circadian period” caters to slightly longer than 24hrs, which makes it easier to stay up later rather than get up earlier … ), so depending on the direction you travel, that may works in your favour!
What a wonderful opportunity! I hope you will really enjoy your trip and that you will begin to forge a happy relationship with your in-laws. Safe travels!
5. November 2010 at 11:48 am
I found that most of the clothing that I so painstakingly packed was never worn- I bought a few casual Indian suits while my husband and I were over there and I found it MUCH more comfortable to wear those than the jeans and shirts I brought.
One of the biggest adjustments for me during our month in India was getting used to the lack of personal space. The constant pushing and shoulder bumping in Delhi was quite uncomfortable and a shock for me at first, but you realize its pretty unavoidable in most city areas (esp. marketplaces). Just the sheer volume of people and noises is amazing. I remember when we walked outside the airport in New Delhi when we first arrived, I couldn’t even talk… tears came to my eyes, but I wasn’t upset. I can’t explain the feeling, but I was just overwhelmed with the yelling, the beeps, and the crowds. It was terrifying and exciting all at once, and turned out to be the beginning of one of the most amazing times of my life!
I would say the ‘toilets’ are a hurdle, but that’s pretty obvious. If you’re lucky enough to be staying in more modern areas that have plumbing like we’re used it, it wont’ be an issue.
For foods Indians love that are common for us…. they LOVED the Hersheys kisses and other chocolates and sweets we brought. The kids were fascinated with gummy worms/bears, but you have to be sure to get a type without gelatin from animals… that would be a HUGE N0-NO if whoever you’re giving them to is vegetarian. It definitely depends on region/religion for that!
For gifts: we were lucky enough to recieve requests, so it was easy to choose. The women wanted nail polish/lipsticks, and like someone else commented, perfumes and colognes are something that you just can’t seem to go wrong with as a gift in India.
Greeting family members: I agree with the gal before me about just following the lead of your husband or whoever you may be with.
Airline meals: Be aware when ordering your meals. We took Air France and were sure to order the “Hindu Meal” for the flight, which ended up being chicken curry (or what an airline considers chicken curry… yikes.) Fortunately my husband and I do eat chicken occasionally, so we didn’t have to risk seeing what else they might bring us. When my husband tried to kindly explain that Hindus, particularly the more strict ones, don’t commonly eat meat, they tried to argue with him about it. Apparently a French stewardess knows more about Hinduism than my Indian husband- who knew? Pack some peanut butter and jelly if you want to be safe
8. November 2010 at 2:01 pm
Let me just add to what’s already been said about medications. Though it may seem like a small thing, do bring some cold medication and some vitamins. I get a cold without fail every time we go to India, possibly just from the stress of jet-lag or the differences in air quality. Colds can seriously impact your energy level and ruin big chunks of your trip. If you bring some Ny-quil and Day-duil tablets and maybe some Emergen-C packets if like them, you can improve your comfort level. You’ll be able to get some good strong throat lozenges while in India and you’ll be able to stock up on handkerchiefs for only a little money.
Most of the meds I take on a daily basis are NOT available in generic versions, so after one bad incident I make sure I take more than I need. We once stayed on for a few extra weeks and I had to skip doses. Not fun!
In terms of crowds, I’m just going to bring this up because anxiety and stress disorders are very common and crowds and cramped spaces are some of the most common phobias. I highly recommended that anyone with an anxiety disorder, fear of crowds, or claustrophobia bring some prescription anxiety medication. If you are worried about having a panic attack in a crowded, cramped, or noisy area, it might be worth talking to your doctor about getting a prescription in time for the trip. If you suffer from a panic disorder, you know that just the fear of having a panic attack can cause you to have an attack. Just having that medication with you (and I mean in reach at all times–possibly in a little baggy in your pocket)can be a lifesaver. Being in large foreign city often means you can’t avoid panic or fear inducing situations, so it is good to be prepared. I know this doesn’t apply to everybody, but I wanted to put it out there in case it would help someone else.
8. November 2010 at 6:37 pm
Ladies!
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions! I am leaving Boston MA for Gorakhpur on Dec 12th. I am going meet my in-laws (first time!) and have a small Hindu ceremony. My husband and I will be married for 1 year this coming Nov 28th. I can’t believe I am married and I have yet to meet his parents! We have purchased gifts already, but thanks for the idea about chocolate. I just hope we have room for all our clothes too! I am USA size 18 to 20 and I’m nervous about fitting in the clothes my Mother in law has already purchased. I would like to pack less and buy some clothes there but with my size I fear I’d have to go with Mom to her “tailor”… kinda embarrassing!
Thanks again ladies…
Love the site too…been a fan for over a year and half! You guys are so cute together!
9. November 2010 at 12:06 am
hey beautiful blog siteI wanted to thank you for this interesting
3. December 2010 at 12:06 am
Hey everyone! I love GoriGirl it was the first thing I stumbled onto when I started dating Adithya, (Now getting married). Yeah same name haha. I started a mini blog of my own. Nothings spectacular writing wise but will post lots of pics of the India wedding. I leave in two days and am packing now, this post is very helpful!!! Any advice on anti-malaria pills? Take them?
http://www.leiaswedding.blogspot.com/
For pics
Gori Girl you will never know how much your blog has helped me. Thank you!
16. February 2011 at 7:32 am
You only need to worry about two things: Food borne illnesses and safety. Just be really careful about what you eat. Don’t start pigging out the first day. The food is damn spicy and it’s entirely different than the US. I made that mistake and wound up getting dysentery. Stick to the bottled or processed water–never tap.
And safety is also important. Whether you like it or not, (unless you’re indian or NRI who can blend in), you’re going to have a big sign on you that says “tourist: come rob me” Make sure you carry only what you need, have a back-up plan in case you do get pick-pocketed. Put your wallet in your locked back pocket, and your money somewhere else—things like that. Just take precautions.
Otherwise have fun. The best part of indian is the people—everything else is meh.