India is Waiting…
In just over two weeks I’ll be leaving for India. While I have been reading my Lonely Planet guide
This trip won’t be solo, but I know I’ll be dealing with a lot of issues when it comes to women travelers.
I was in India back in ’89. It was three months of travel with a former boyfriend who had wanted to see the country. Not being one to turn down a travel opportunity, I was eager to go. It was tough travel, however.
On a backpacker’s budget and still quite green when it came to travel, I didn’t know what I was getting into.
I was shocked by what I saw (deformities and people defecating in the streets) and experienced (men crossing the street just to give me an intimidating nudge and, as a woman, being served a meal long after my male dinner companions had finished their meal).
This upcoming trip will be quite different.
We’ll be starting the trip in Bangalore and visiting dear friends who live there whom we haven’t seen in years. Another friend’s parents live in Pune (near Mumbai) and we’ll be visiting with them as well.
And, while I love to travel with the locals, I won’t feel bound by a tight budget to travel in a 3rd class seat on trains nor stay in hotels that are so cheap and noisy that I can’ t get a good night’s sleep. I’ll at least have choices and for that I am thankful.
I have my new passport that includes double the pages of a regular passport (simply ask for the additional pages next time you apply for a passport) and the Indian visas arrived last week.
I’ve got a pile of things-to-bring-to-India started. So far, it includes my passport and a book that Bhaswati (in Bangalore) has requested.
Rather than carry numerous books to read, I prefer to bring one HUGE book (generally James Michener works well but I think I’ve read all of his books). This time, I plan to take a new book from Indian writer Vikram Chandra called Sacred Games
I’ll continue to work on my packing list and pile of things-to-bring to India and will continue to keep you updated in the coming weeks and while I’m on the road.
If you have any words of wisdom from your experiences in India, I’m all ears!
Happy Travels!
Sounds like you’re headed into a wonderful adventure. From what I have read of your previous treks you will surely make the most of it. I was in Delhi many years ago where I had one of my own adventures.
My father was living in India and I went for a summer visit. During the early part of my stay I became quite ill from the 120degree heat during the day on the streets and the icy air conditioning at home at night. But I kept on the move, after all, there was shopping to do.
I had lived in the Middle East (Beirut) as a child so the human condition was not quite the shock that it could have been. Still, it is saddening to have children missing eyes and limbs run after you through the streets in hopes of getting a “penny”. But driving through the countryside I found beautiful and fascinating. I would love to see it again one day and have recently added it to my “wish list”.
The second part of the trip was the real adventure. My father suddenly became someone that I didn’t know and in order to get out of his control I needed to leave his house. I did this by slipping out the door without telling him and running with my huge bag for a cab. He tracked me down, threatening that I would not leave the country without his help; and although in a strange country and with almost no money of my own, I refused to return with him. I spent the rest of my stay hiding and living under rather sever conditions in a hovel as I tried to make arrangements he could not track to return to the United States.
This isn’t the place for all the details, maybe one day I will write the full story. Obviously I am safe and undamaged, getting home with a new sari and a story to tell. What I really want to say here is how helpful I found the people and how diverse and magnificent I found the country. I encourage women to pack some lightweight clothes and head for this unique country.
Looking forward to following your steps across India. Have a blast!
Hi there Beth – so sorry we missed eachother before the holidays. I hope you have a fantastic time in India. It is my passion too! We must chat. My old website might inspire you – I love Jaipur so much!!!! http://www.passionforindia.com 🙂
Travel safe and well.